A Legislative Update Written February 13, 2026
By Mindy Patterson
Iowa Spotlight: Senate File 2162 A bill in Iowa deserves special
Dear Members,
Kentucky maintains cruelty statutes and regulatory frameworks to manage animal welfare matters. SB45 ensures that compliant businesses are not selectively targeted and banned because of animal rights activism or political pressure. We are grateful for Senator Webb’s leadership on this important effort and will continue supporting this important legislation as it advances in the Kentucky legislature. We will update you as this legislation moves forward in the Kentucky legislature. Idaho: SB1241 Advances In Idaho, SB1241 was heard in the Senate Agriculture Committee and voted out of Committee with certain changes to be finalized. Senator Shippy did a terrific job presenting and defending the legislation and continues to champion our cause to safeguard lawful animal enterprise that utilizes working animals in Idaho. Like Kentucky’s effort, SB1241 aims to protect legitimate working animal and agri-tourism operations from arbitrary local prohibitions. This progress reflects strong legislative partnerships and the growing recognition that state leadership must step in when local governments overreach. We will update you as this legislation moves forward in the Idaho legislature.
This week has been a reminder that legislative advocacy never slows down, and neither do the efforts by animal rights groups to undermine lawful animal enterprise across America. First, I want to address our Legislative Zoom meeting on January 29th. Attendance was much lighter than usual. In hindsight, we should have rescheduled after realizing an unprecedented winter storm was raging across much of the central and southeastern United States. Many of our members were understandably focused on family, animals, and property protection and may have even been dealing with power outages. We will continue holding these important briefings in the future and will be mindful of major events impacting our members moving forward. Kentucky: SB45 – Protecting Working Animals & Agritourism I had the opportunity to briefly testify before the Kentucky Senate Agriculture Committee via Zoom in support of SB45, legislation designed to protect working animals and agritourism businesses from activist-driven local legislative bans. This effort is being led by a courageous champion for rural Kentucky, Senator Robin Webb. SB45 is a proactive measure to stop local governments from eliminating lawful, regulated businesses driven by pressure from animal rights ideologues.
attention and strong support.
Senate File 2162 would do the following: Restore Due Process Protections: SF2162 requires that complaint- driven investigations obtain either breeder consent or a search warrant, ensuring constitutional protections against searches based solely on anonymous or unverified accusations. Prevents Premature Animal Seizures: The bill prohibits removal of animals from a licensed facility until there is a formal finding of guilt related to cruelty or neglect, protecting breeders from devastating financial and reputational harm before due process is completed. Distinguishes Between Routine Inspections and Investigations: Routine regulatory inspections may continue as usual, but investigations triggered by anonymous complaints must meet a higher legal threshold, preventing abuse of enforcement authority while maintaining animal welfare oversight. This legislation restores due process protections and prevents preemptive seizure actions that can financially devastate breeders before any adjudication. We proudly support SF2162 and want to extend a sincere thank you to our member, Betsy Fickel, who has worked tirelessly in Iowa and
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 3
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