Committee advances bill directing livestock decisions to producers, exempts equine operations

Representative Ryan Bivvens, sponsor of House Bill 111, told the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture that the bill is intended to protect Kentucky livestock and poultry producers by clarifying decision-making authority.

Bivvens said the bill directs decision-makers to rely on the people who own the livestock or poultry when making choices related to production and animal health, and it permits owners to use professionals to assist those decisions. He noted that sponsors exempted equine operations at the equine industry’s request and said the bill had broad support in the House, passing a committee unanimously and the full House 94-0.

Bivvens framed the bill as protecting food supply and farm families and said sponsors worked with commodity groups, including pork producers. After brief discussion, committee members moved and seconded the measure; Senator Webb offered remarks explaining his vote in support and praising the sponsor’s drafting and outreach. The chairman announced the motion passed unanimously and HB 111 was placed on the consent calendar. The transcript does not record a precise roll-call tally.