Protecting Horses from Soring Act of 2025 · Introduced in House (2025-02-27)

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Horse Protection Act to provide increased protection for horses participating in shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · February 27, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. DesJarlais · Committee: Committee on Energy and Commerce

SEC. 2. Definitions

Section 2 of the Horse Protection Act () is amended— 15 U.S.C. 1821

by striking the section designation and all that follows through in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (2), (4), (5), and (6), respectively;
by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following:
by inserting after paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following:

SEC. 3. Findings

Section 3 of the Horse Protection Act () is amended— 15 U.S.C. 1822

by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and
- the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture has determined that the program through which the Secretary inspects horses is not adequate to ensure compliance with this Act;
by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

SEC. 4. Increasing protections for horses participating in horse shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions

(a) Horse shows and exhibitions

Section 4 of the Horse Protection Act () is amended— 15 U.S.C. 1823
- by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
  - (a) Disqualification of horses
    - (1) In general
      - The management of any horse show or horse exhibition shall disqualify any horse from being shown or exhibited if—
        
        the horse is determined to be sore by an objective inspection; or
        
        the management has been notified that the horse is sore by—
        
        (i) a person licensed under subsection (c)(3)(A); or
        
        (ii) the Secretary.
    - (2) Duration of disqualification
      - Any horse that is determined to be sore by an objective inspection shall be disqualified from being shown or exhibited—
        
        for a period of not less than 30 days if it is the first determination; and
        
        for a period of not less than 90 days if it is a second or subsequent determination.
- in subsection (b)—
  - by striking and inserting the following:
    - (b) Prohibition on sale, auction, and exhibition
      - The management
- by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
  - (c) Horse Industry Organization
    - (1) Establishment
      - (A) In general
        
        Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the , the Secretary shall establish an organization, to be known as the (referred to in this subsection as ). Horse Industry Organization the Organization
      - (B) Board
        
        (i) The Organization shall be governed by a board (referred to in this subsection as ) consisting of not more than 9 individuals, of whom— the Board
        
        two shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Tennessee;
        
        two shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Kentucky;
        
        two shall—
        
        represent the Tennessee Walking Horse industry; and
        
        be appointed by the members appointed under subclauses (I) and (II), in accordance with a process developed by those members; and
        
        not more than three shall be appointed by the members appointed under subclauses (I) through (III).
        
        (ii) Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
        
        (iii) The members of the Board, in consultation with the Secretary, shall develop bylaws and other policies to operate the Organization, establish committees, and fill vacancies on the Board.
      - (C) Vacancies; period of appointment

H.R. 1675

Table of contents

SEC. 1. Short title

SEC. 2. Definitions

SEC. 3. Findings

SEC. 4. Increasing protections for horses participating in horse shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions

SEC. 5. Rulemaking