Senate committee advances SB 45 after debate over local enforcement and agritourism preemption

The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture advanced SB 45 after a prolonged debate over whether the bill would protect agritourism businesses or unduly limit local animal-welfare enforcement.

Sponsor Senator Robin Webb said SB 45 is intended to prevent local governments from banning lawful animal-related enterprises — including rodeos, carriage rides and similar agritourism activities — and stressed the bill "does not protect anyone abusing an animal." Webb said the measure, drafted with input from municipalities, aims to preserve the economic and cultural role of animal events in Kentucky.

Mindy Patterson, president and cofounder of the Cavalry Group, testified in support, describing the legislation as "preemptive" and saying variations of the bill have passed in other states. Patterson said the bill’s purpose is to stop "animal rights groups" from enacting local bans that would shutter lawful animal enterprises.

Opposition testimony came from Lisa Kremin, director of animal services for Campbell County and treasurer of the Kentucky Animal Care and Control Association. Kremin told the committee she opposes SB 45 "as it is currently drafted," arguing that broad language — notably a phrase in the bill describing "any activity that has historically involved the utilization of working animals" — could let operations claim agritourism status and thereby avoid local rules requiring minimum standards of care. Kremin said her county’s ordinance requires inspections and sets minimum standards for commercial animal establishments, and she warned SB 45 could be interpreted to limit those local inspections and enforcement.

Committee members pressed both sides on statutory language and enforcement. Several members emphasized a default preference for local control. Senator Thomas said he had received numerous emails urging opposition and that the bill raises legal uncertainties about what constitutes an "undue burden" and when an activity is "unreasonable or impractical," and he voted no on that basis. Senator Webb and other proponents said the bill preserves public-health, safety, planning and zoning requirements enforceable by local police powers and cited model language from the Kentucky League of Cities.

After discussion and brief rebuttals from the sponsor and proponent, the committee voted 10–1 to advance SB 45 to the floor.

The committee’s action sends the measure to the full Senate, where supporters and opponents will have further opportunities to weigh statutory language and local-government impacts.