Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to animal torture, and providing penalties
Sponsored by Rep. Samantha Fett (R), Rep. Carter F. Nordman (R)
Topics:Crime & corrections
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 24, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 27, 2025
- Done: House committeeFebruary 5, 2026
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2348
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2348 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2348 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary People who intentionally hurt or kill animals through torture would face tougher punishments under this law. It changes the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony, which can lead to more prison time and higher fines. If someone has a history of animal abuse or related crimes, the penalties become even more severe.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to animal torture. The bill provides that a person is guilty of animal torture if the person intentionally or knowingly crushes, burns, drowns, suffocates, impales, or otherwise subjects an animal to serious injury or death or causes, directs, or provides anything of value to another person to do the same. Current law provides that animal torture is an aggravated misdemeanor. The bill increases the penalty to a class “D” felony. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245. 2) is guilty of a class “C” felony. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than years and a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660.
Changed since by amendment S-5232; see Amendments.
House subcommittee
Named January 21, 2026. On January 28, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
2 written public comments to its subcommittee: January 28, 2026 (1), March 3, 2025 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill increases the penalty for animal torture from a Class D felony to a Class C felony for individuals with certain prior convictions. The fiscal impact on the state's General Fund is estimated to be minimal.3
From the note: The fiscal impact of the Bill is estimated to be minimal. Figure 2 shows the average State cost per offense for a Class C felony and Class D felony. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the DOC.
- Final Fiscal Note — Animal Torture, Criminal Offense and Penalty · May 13, 2026
- Animal Torture, Criminal Offense and Penalty · April 30, 2026
- Animal Torture, Criminal Offense and Penalty · March 4, 2026
- Animal Torture, Criminal Offense and Penalty · February 25, 2026