The House Agriculture Committee has passed SB 1303, the Senate-passed animal cruelty bill that's sponsored by the state's livestock industry, on a unanimous voice vote.

Wyatt Prescott, executive vice president of the Idaho Cattle Association, told the committee his industry needs to stand up to those who'd like to run producers like him out of business. "The only thing we can do as an industry is to do the right thing, to act responsibly, to take proper care of those animals." he said. "That's why SB 1303 is in front of you."

Lisa Kauffman, executive director in Idaho for the Humane Society of the United States, said her national organization opposed SB 1303 in the earlier Senate committee hearing because "we didn't feel it went far enough. But I feel with HB 650 ... I agree with Stan Boyd that the two will complement each other. I think that will put to rest a lot of fears, I know for my organization. I can't speak for others." Jeff Rosenthal, executive director of the Idaho Humane Society, endorsed the bill both today and in the earlier Senate hearing.

The bill now heads to the full House.