Hanbidge: Agriculture, animal-protection bills voted out of committee
Rep. Liz Hanbidge June 9, 2026 | 3:35 PM
Two bills (H.B. 2529 and H.B. 2555) sponsored by state Rep. Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, advanced from the?Pennsylvania House Agriculture?and Rural Affairs?Committee today.
House Bill 2529?intends to classify medetomidine, a dangerous non-opioid sedative most used in veterinary medicine, as a Schedule?3?controlled substance. This legislation would require veterinary practitioners to safely store the drug and?appropriate exemptions?to ensure that the continued legitimate use of medetomidine in veterinary medicine would be included. This bill would work to ensure safer use and decrease its presence in the commonwealth’s illicit drug supply and in fentanyl samples.??
“The growing presence of medetomidine in the illicit drug supply poses a serious threat to Pennsylvanians,” Hanbidge said. “Advancing this legislation out of committee is an important step toward confronting that danger and protecting lives. I am proud to co-sponsor this commonsense measure with Rep. Scott, and I look forward to its continued progress through the House and ultimately the Senate.”
House Bill 2555?would require any equine sold by a dealer in Pennsylvania to retain records including?a negative equine infectious anemia (EIA) test, a record of any identification methods such as tattoos, brands or microchips, an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection for horses coming from outside of Pennsylvania, and other records as appropriate.?Introducing these requirements aims to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission?and to create consistent documentation of equine sales?facilitated?by auctions.
This legislation would help decrease the spread of diseases through particularly high areas of animal movement, such as equine auctions and dealer transactions, that could cause potential outbreaks. Establishing clear documentation of these animals can also enhance traceability in equine sales and ensure that records follow animals through sale and distribution channels, which will help promote?consumer confidence, responsible industry practices, and a more transparent equine marketplace.?
“This bill is a straightforward animal health and consumer protection measure,” Hanbidge said. “It strengthens protections for Pennsylvania’s equine industry while improving transparency and accountability in horse sales. Pennsylvania’s horse industry supports agriculture, recreation, tourism, entertainment and thousands of jobs across the commonwealth. Gaps in documentation and inconsistent standards in dealers and auction sales create a serious concern for disease prevention and traceability, and it’s time that we address those concerns.”
###