Oregon’s Initiative Petition 28 failed to advance to the ballot, ending the latest attempt to remove longstanding exemptions for agriculture, hunting, fishing and rodeo.
Oregon's Initiative Petition 28, known by supporters as the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions Act, or PEACE Act, will not appear on the ballot after the campaign failed to secure the signatures necessary to qualify.
The outcome marks a significant victory for Oregon's agricultural, hunting, fishing, and animal industries, which organized against the proposal and warned that its language could have far-reaching consequences for practices currently protected under state law.
IP 28 sought to amend Oregon's animal cruelty statutes by eliminating exemptions found within ORS 167.315 through 167.333. Those exemptions currently apply to a variety of legal activities involving animals, including farming and ranching practices, hunting, fishing and trapping. Language associated with the proposal also addressed rodeo and other animal-related activities.
Supporters of the PEACE Act argued that animals should receive greater legal protections regardless of the industry or activity involved. Opponents maintained that removing existing exemptions could expose otherwise lawful agricultural and animal-management practices to criminal liability.
The Oregon Farm Bureau was among the agricultural organizations raising concerns about the proposal. The organization warned that the measure's definitions and removal of exemptions could affect livestock breeding and other routine animal-husbandry practices performed by producers, veterinarians, and breeders.
The proposal also drew concern from hunting and fishing organizations because of its potential effect on activities currently permitted and regulated by the state.
The issue carried considerable significance in Oregon. The state is home to tens of thousands of farms and ranches, while hundreds of thousands of residents participate in hunting and fishing. Wildlife management, veterinary medicine, animal research, pest control, and tribal practices were also among the areas opponents argued could be affected by proposals removing existing statutory exemptions.
IP 28 was not the first attempt to place similar language before Oregon voters. Previous versions were pursued during the 2020, 2022 and 2024 election cycles, according to the Oregon Hunters Association, but those efforts also failed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
That history is why agricultural advocates say the latest defeat should be viewed as both a victory and a reason to remain engaged.
While IP 28 did not advance, supporters of the broader movement have continued advocating for changes to Oregon's animal laws. Opponents therefore expect similar proposals could surface again in future election cycles.
The repeated attempts have also fueled discussion about how public attitudes toward animal agriculture may change over time. Some agricultural advocates have described the strategy through the concept of the "Overton Window," referring to how ideas considered politically acceptable can shift as they receive greater public exposure. That interpretation is an argument made by opponents, however, rather than a stated provision or legal effect of IP 28 itself.
For Oregon's farmers, ranchers, hunters and other animal owners, the immediate result is clear: IP 28 will not become law through this election cycle, and the existing exemptions remain in place.
After multiple attempts to advance similar measures, agricultural organizations are encouraging producers and animal owners to continue monitoring future ballot initiatives and participating in the public process surrounding policies that could affect animal agriculture and rural communities.
