Judge Says He'll Decide Ag Filming Lawsuit Soon

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:46:51 GMT

Idaho’s law punishing those who secretly film agricultural operations doesn’t limit free speech because the First Amendment right does not exempt trespassing on private property, state attorneys argued.

They made the argument in front of U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill during a Wednesday hearing.

Attorneys representing a coalition of free speech, environmental and animal right activists countered that deception is protected speech as long as it doesn’t directly cause harm.

The two parties are arguing over the constitutionality of a recently passed law that prohibits individuals from going undercover to investigate animal abuse or other problems at agricultural operations. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter signed the bill Feb. 28, and due to an emergency clause, the legislation became effective immediately.

The statute, dubbed the “ag-gag” law, makes it illegal to surreptitiously record audio or film activities on private land without permission. Violators could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

“Recording is a medium of expression and limitations on it is a form of discrimination,” said Justin Marceau, a law professor at the University of Denver working with the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho on the lawsuit. Marceau is also counsel for a group who last July filed a similar lawsuit against Utah’s farm protection law.

Courts have already decided that deliberately misrepresenting one’s background —which is prohibited under the controversial law for any agricultural worker— did not amount to fraud, Mareau said.

Marceau also pointed out that the law is too broad in scope. While it says it applies to agricultural facilities like dairies and farms, the way it is written would be applicable in a Home Depot and Costco because those stores handle products like pesticides, he said.

Idaho lawmakers passed the anti-secret filming statute two years after private animal activists released footage of animal abuse on one of Idaho’s largest dairies. Los Angeles-based Mercy for Animals recorded footage of employees stomping on cows, beating them with a pink cane and dragging one cow with a chain around its neck by a tractor.

Idaho Deputy Attorney Clay Smith said the law protects property owners’ rights to determine who should or should not be allowed on their land.

Responding to Winmill’s question if the law infringes on the media’s rights, Smith said that press members are subject to ordinary law just like the public.

“You can’t use the First Amendment to walk around basic private property rights,” Smith said.

Winmill said he will make a decision whether to dismiss the case in the next few weeks.

“There’s a lot to think about in this case,” he said. “All five sections and subsections of the law raise their own separate issues. Some of which I feel fairly comfortable, while others I’m still muddling around.”

Lawmakers Pass Bills Boosting Agriculture Industry

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:26:13 GMT

Idaho farmers, ranchers and producers say they’re happy with the outcome of the 2014 Legislature.

A lot of things went right for the agricultural industry during the 74-day session, when numerous industry-boosting bills found a foothold, The Capitol Press reported .

Among them was the Agriculture Security Act, commonly known as “the ag-gag law,” which makes it a crime to interfere with or secretly film agricultural operations. Lawmakers backed the bill despite opposition from animal rights activists who said it would limit free speech and allow animal abusers to go unpunished.

Gov. C.L. Butch Otter signed the bill into law last month.

Roger Batt, an agricultural lobbyist, called it a “monumental” piece of legislation and argued the law is essential to shield farmers from those who plot against them.

“There are so many anti-agriculture folks out there right now that are trying to do things to disrupt (farming) operations,” Batt said. “We need to protect our farmers and ranchers the best we can because that’s exactly what they deserve.”

Other industry-approved bills that made it through the Legislature included a bid to use inmates as field laborers during the fruit-picking season and setting up a wolf control board with a $620,000 budget.

The wolf control measure will result in Idaho’s wool assessment increasing from 8 cents to 10 cents a pound. Cattle producers will also have to pay $125 every five years to renew their brand, a 25 percent increase. But those in the industry say the added cost is worth it to keep wolf populations under control.

The Legislature also handed over $15 million in state money to fund water supply improvement projects in Idaho, and dedicated money to an initiative aimed at increasing agricultural education programs.

Bills dealing with bees, elk ranches, statewide trichomoniasis testing, dairy commissioner pay, taxes on food donations, wineries, scrap metal, horses, soybeans and farm equipment all had little trouble in the state House or Senate. Industry heads say they’re pleased by the session’s results.

“I can’t think of any major (farm-related) bill that was defeated,” said Stan Boyd, executive director of the Idaho Wool Growers Association. “I think all in all, it was a pretty good session for agriculture.”