Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011
On June 27, 2011, Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011 (S.1281). The bill would prohibit the interstate transport of any horse in a double-deck truck.
Background
Senator Kirk has said he was prompted to introduce the bill by accidents involving horses’ being transported in double-decker trucks, primarily a 2007 accident in Wadsworth, Illinois involving the overturning of a double-deck cattle truck carrying 59 Belgian draft horses. Eight horses died at the scene and ten were later euthanized. Kirk had previously introduced a similar bill when he was a Member of the House of Representatives.
Several states have passed legislation banning the transport of horses in these trucks, but there is no federal prohibition. However, it is illegal to transport horses to slaughter in such vehicles.
Bill
The bill would prohibit the interstate transport of any horse in a double-deck truck including ones specially designed for horses.
The bill would impose civil penalties of $100 to $500 for each violation of the proposed probation. A separate violation occurs for each horse transported.
Status
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The language from S.1281 has been incorporated into the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act of 2011. On December 14, 2011 this bill was approved by Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
On February 2, 2012 the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012, its version of a national highway bill. The language of S.1281 was incorporated into this bill.
AHC Position
The AHC opposes this bill unless it is amended to accommodate the transport of rodeo horses in specially-designed double-deck trailers.