Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An animal cruelty bill that cleared the Senate 34-1 has been put down by a House committee leader who says there isn't sufficient time to fix it. The measure makes running a cockfighting operation a felony. But Rep. Tom Loertscher, an eastern Idaho rancher and House State Affairs Committee chair, won't give it a hearing because he doesn't like provisions that threaten livestock owners who don't provide medical care to sick or injured animals with a misdemeanor. Loertscher also isn't keen on provisions aimed at tracking livestock, which he says could undermine the West's system of brands in favor of radio-frequency identification tags. In e-mails to its supporters, the Humane Society of the United States is criticizing his move. Loertscher also won't hear another bill that seeks to create a state livestock care standards board.

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