0
PAST Act of 2025
3/27/2025, 8:07 AM
Summary of Bill HR 1684
Some of the key changes proposed in the bill include expanding the list of prohibited acts related to the mistreatment of horses, such as soring (the practice of intentionally causing pain to a horse's legs to enhance its gait). The bill also seeks to increase penalties for those found in violation of the Act, in order to deter future instances of abuse.
Additionally, the bill includes measures to enhance the enforcement capabilities of the Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for overseeing compliance with the Horse Protection Act. This may include providing additional resources and training for inspectors, as well as implementing stricter oversight measures to ensure that the Act is being effectively enforced. Overall, the Horse Protection Act Amendment aims to strengthen protections for horses and ensure that those who engage in abusive practices are held accountable. By making these changes, the bill seeks to improve the welfare of horses and prevent instances of cruelty and mistreatment within the horse industry.
Congressional Summary of HR 1684
Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2025 or the PAST Act of 2025
This bill increases protections for horses at shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions (horse events) to prevent the practice of soring horses. Generally, the soring of horses includes certain actions taken on horses' limbs to produce higher gaits that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness.
Specifically, the bill expands existing soring prohibitions under the Horse Protection Act, including by banning the use of certain action devices (e.g., nonprotective boots) on specified horse breeds.
The bill also requires soring inspectors at horse events to be assigned by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the Department of Agriculture rather than appointed by the management of horse events. APHIS must also license, train, and oversee inspectors to detect and diagnose soring at such events.
Additionally, the bill increases penalties for violations of the act. It also directs APHIS to disqualify horses found to be sore from being shown or exhibited for specified periods. Further, APHIS may permanently disqualify violators from participating in horse events after the third or any subsequent violation.
By way of background, APHIS issued a rule in 2024 to increase efforts to protect horses from soring practices. However, in 2025, a court vacated parts of the rule as exceeding APHIS' statutory authority (e.g., prohibiting the use of certain action devices) while deeming other parts acceptable (e.g., establishing APHIS-designated inspectors). APHIS subsequently delayed the effective date of the rule to December 31, 2026.
