A bill instructing California's congressional delegation to support federal legislation that would forbid the transport of horses to horse processing plants in Canada and Mexico took a step toward passage on April 15 when the state’s Senate approved it. The bill now will move to the state's House Agriculture Committee.

SJR 22 calls on federal lawmakers to pass HR 503, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, and SB 727, its twin Senate bill. Both bills prohibit the transport, sale, delivery, or export of horses for slaughter for human consumption. It also criminalizes the purchase, sale, delivery, or export of horsemeat intended for human consumption. Both remain pending.

California is among several states where bills addressing the slaughter of horses for human consumption are either pending or have passed.

South Dakota lawmakers recently passed SCR 4, urging the defeat of HR 503/SB 727. The resolution also calls for the reinstatement of federal horse processing plant inspections. Similar legislation also recently passed in Idaho (SJM 104) and remains pending in Oklahoma (HCR 1045)