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HB 111KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState BillSigned into law

Enacted

Kentucky grants farmers sole authority over on-farm animal health practices, excluding equines

Original title: AN ACT relating to on-farm animal health.

Last action · April 3, 2026: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 24)Sponsors: Ryan Bivens and 6 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Does

Kentucky enacts a law giving farmers and livestock or poultry owners sole authority to determine and implement animal health care and production practices, taking effect April 3, 2026. The new rule allows owners to consult veterinarians or other professionals at their discretion, but explicitly excludes equine owners and operations.

Why it matters

Livestock and poultry producers gain exclusive legal decision-making power over their animals' healthcare practices while retaining the option to seek professional consultation, though horse owners receive no such change in authority.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

livestock or poultry farmers

Farmers receive sole legal authority to determine and implement animal health care and production practices for their livestock or poultry.

Directly affected

equine owners and equine operations

Equine owners and operations are explicitly excluded from the provisions of this section.

Not affected

state and federal officials

Official duties of state and federal officials are not limited, precluded, or restricted by the new section.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has the authority to make animal health decisions on a farm under this law?

The farmer or owner of the livestock or poultry has the sole authority to determine and implement animal health care or s.

Does this law apply to horse owners?

No, the law explicitly states it shall not apply to any owner of an equine or any equine operation.

Can farmers still consult veterinarians under the new rule?

Yes, a farmer or livestock/poultry owner may consult with a veterinarian or any other professional at their discretion.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

14 actions

Apr 3, 2026HouseEnrolled
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 24)
Mar 26, 2026HouseEnrolled
received in House enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House enrolled, signed by President of the Senate delivered to Governor
Mar 25, 2026HouseFloor
3rd reading, passed 38-0
Mar 24, 2026House
passed over and retained in the Consent Orders of the Day
Mar 20, 2026House
posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026
Mar 11, 2026HouseFloor
2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill

Show 8 earlier actions

Mar 10, 2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
Mar 6, 2026SenateCommittee
to Agriculture (S)
Feb 23, 2026SenateIntroduced
received in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
Feb 20, 2026HouseFloor
3rd reading, passed 94-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
Feb 19, 2026HouseFloor
2nd reading, to Rules posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 20 2026
Feb 18, 2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee
to Agriculture (H)
Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced
introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Version history

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