Bill to jail abuse-filming activists passes Idaho House

[IDemo]

BOISE, Idaho — A bill to jail people who secretly film animal abuse at Idaho's agricultural facilities is headed to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's desk.

What foes of the measure dub the "ag gag bill" passed the House 56-14 Wednesday afternoon with a near party-line split. The Senate backed it 23-10 earlier this month.

If Otter signs the bill into law, anyone who films or records on an agricultural operation without permission will face up to a year in jail. That's double the maximum penalty for animal cruelty under Idaho law.

The bill, promoted heavily by Idaho's dairy industry, comes after videos released by Los Angeles-based vegetarian and animal rights group Mercy for Animals showed workers at Bettencourt Dairy beating, stomping and sexually abusing cows in 2012. An activist secretly filmed the abuse after getting a job at the dairy.

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/02/26/3051197/bill-to-jail-abuse-filming-activists.html#storylink=cpy

Because business activity such as this deserves protection, right?

[flvegan]

1. Double the penalty to those filming as to those DOING the abuse. Got it.

Politicians bought? Yup. Fully paid for.

Still won't stop us.

[jmowreader]

4. No sir. In Idaho, our politicians are not bought and paid for.

They work for free.

[okaawhatever]

2. Surely even this scotus will find that unconstitutional. nt

[villager]

3. Boycott all animal products from Idaho. Period.

n/t

[GP6971]

5. Sadistic Bastards!!!! n/t

[frwrfpos]

6. this is important

rec

[Beringia]

7. Kick

[Beringia]

10. Butch Otter

I saw this comment on a Save Idaho Wolves Petition and thought it was so good.



"I want to save the wolves, but I would also like to apply for an Idaho non-resident otter-hunting permit. I don't care if the limit is just one otter, but I would like the head of a Butch Otter on my basement wall."

[Egalitarian Thug]

8. Any Idaho Activists that need their videos safely released, PM me. n/t

[cui bono]

9. More whistleblower prosecution.

Looks like that trickle down thing is working after all.

[Egalitarian Thug]

11. Seriously, I'll put your stuff out there, even if it is awful. n/t

[IDemo]

12. UPDATE - Butch does as expected

Otter signs bill outlawing undercover filming at ag operations

BOISE -- Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter has signed a controversial bill outlawing the undercover filming of agriculture operations.

The law is largely supported by Idaho's dairy owners and opposed by animal rights activists.

Detractors had previously descended on the Idaho Statehouse to protest the legislation, which passed the Idaho House on Wednesday. Otter signed the bill into law Friday morning.

Governor Otter issued a statement Friday, saying the bill was intended to protect Idaho agriculture producers.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/Gov-Otter-signs-Agriculture-Security-Bill-247888361.html