House committee advances bill to reinforce farmer authority over livestock care
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Summary
The House Agriculture Committee voted to report House Bill 111 favorably after sponsor Rep. Ryan Bivens and industry witnesses said the bill protects family farms by clarifying that livestock health decisions rest with the farm owner; the committee noted veterinarian and public-health authorities would still respond to large outbreaks.
The Kentucky House Agriculture Committee voted to advance House Bill 111, a measure the sponsor said would make clear that decisions about livestock health and care primarily rest with the farm owner.
Representative Ryan Bivens, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure aims to protect family farms and their ability to plan for the future. "This bill's pretty simple," Bivens said, arguing producers face growing outside pressure and that farmers should retain discretion over how to care for their animals.
Nikki Ellis, a third-generation hog farmer from Boyle County and CEO of the Kentucky Pork Producers Association, urged committee members to support the bill on economic grounds. "Pork is a powerhouse in Kentucky. In 2025, our industry added $650,000,000 in GDP value to our state and supported nearly 8,000 Kentucky jobs," Ellis said, asking the committee to provide "the shield we need" to guard against what she described as out-of-state regulations and activist pressure.
Committee members asked several clarifying questions before the vote. One member asked why the bill's language makes veterinarian consultation discretionary—using "may" instead of "shall"—in certain provisions. Bivens replied the language was not intended to prevent state or federal officials from responding to large-scale disease outbreaks; rather, it preserves the individual farmer's choice to accept professional advice, which he compared to a patient choosing whether to follow a doctor's prescription.
Representative Moore asked to explain her yes vote, saying the committee substitute language improved the bill and reiterating that health decisions are best decided by the farm owner in consultation with a veterinarian when appropriate.
After roll-call, the committee recorded a majority of affirmative votes and the chair declared the motion to report House Bill 111 favorably "passed with favorable expression," saying the bill is expected to receive similar support on the House floor.
The committee also heard a brief clarification from Representative Dawson, who, drawing on ag-retail experience, said the bill would not prevent farmers from purchasing animal-health supplies at retail outlets when needed.
With no further business, the committee heard an announcement that the Kentucky Association of County Agricultural Agents and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service were hosting lunch at a nearby VFW and then adjourned.
Votes at a glance
Motion: Report House Bill 111 to the full House with a favorable recommendation (as amended by the committee) Mover: Representative Ryan Bivens Second: Representative McPherson (recorded by the clerk) Outcome: Approved by committee (motion passed with favorable expression)
What happens next
The committee reported the bill favorably to the full House; the chair said the bill is expected to receive similar support on the House floor. No floor action or subsequent hearing date was recorded during this meeting.