House Bill 655 Summary

• Phases out traditional lagoon and sprayfield animal waste management systems serving swine farms by September 1, 2019, requiring owners to close all system components in compliance with applicable laws.

• Establishes minimum humane standards for cows, poultry, and swine, prohibiting confinement of calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens, and pregnant swine in ways that prevent lying down, standing up, extending limbs, or turning around freely (with exceptions for veterinary care, research, transportation, and fair exhibitions).

• Requires humane on-farm killing of cows and swine using only methods deemed acceptable by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and prohibits sale or transport of cattle too sick or injured to stand and walk.

• Mandates a joint study by the Division of Public Health and Department of Agriculture to examine antibiotic use in livestock production, including supply chains, reporting mechanisms, survey of high-density livestock counties, and antibiotic resistance trends, with findings due January 1, 2017.

• Violations of minimum humane standards are classified as Class 2 misdemeanors; humane standards provisions take effect January 1, 2016.