Bill > SSB1166

This Study Bill, titled "A bill for an act prohibiting interference with the transportation of an agricultural animal, and providing penalties," aims to prevent individuals from disrupting the movement of farm animals. It defines "agricultural animal" broadly to include various livestock species, poultry, fish, and honey bees. The bill makes it illegal to knowingly stop, hinder, impede, board, obstruct, or otherwise interfere with a motor vehicle transporting these animals, or to provoke, disturb, or interact with the animals while they are in transit. A person accused of this offense can use an affirmative defense if they prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they had the consent of someone with authority to transport or control the animal, such as a shipper or the animal's owner. Violations of these prohibitions are classified as aggravated misdemeanors, but repeat offenses can be elevated to a class "D" felony.