Rep. Ken Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs, has asked for and received unanimous consent from the House to sent SB 1303, the Senate-passed animal cruelty bill, to general orders for amendments. "We have heard HB 650, which most of you supported," Andrus told the House; that's the House-passed animal cruelty bill he sponsored, which hasn't gotten a committee hearing in the Senate. "HB 650 over on the Senate side has some objections, and there are some objections from the animal industry. In order to take out those objections and reach a compromise, which we feel we have done, and to incorporate the good parts of 650 into 1303, I ask that you support sending 1303 to general orders," Andrus said.

His move followed a lunch-hour meeting between House and Senate Ag Committee members, livestock industry representatives, animal-rights activities and House and Senate leaders.