Pittsburgh, PA – September 16, 2024 — Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced today that she will introduce legislation that will repeal the preemption of local rodeo bans and return the authority to prohibit cruel and abusive animal practices to individual municipalities across the state.
Since 1992, Pittsburgh City Council has banned the use of electric prods, bucking straps, and spurs, which are used to control animals, but also inflict pain and cause injuries to those animals. This has had the practical effect of banning rodeos in Pittsburgh for over 30 years.
However, a last-minute provision was added to the 2024-25 Fiscal Code, a 140-page omnibus piece of legislation that authorizes the state to spend money, as a part of this summer’s budget deal. This provision allows certain rodeo-hosting companies to hold ticketed, public rodeo or rodeo-related events on up to 12 days per year. During those 12 days, any local rodeo regulations shall not apply. There was no public input or consultation with stakeholders prior to the inclusion of this preemption of local law in the budget.
“Local municipalities and their elected officials are in the best position to regulate numerous issues, and the state should only preempt that authority when necessary,” said Senator Williams. “There is no reason for the state to override Pittsburgh’s ability to regulate rodeos within its own boundaries, especially when it results in a financial windfall for a small subset of private companies. This is a clear example of the state legislature overstepping local control, with no input or transparency, and it must be corrected immediately.”
Animal rights organizations applaud Senator Williams’ forthcoming legislation. “On behalf of Humane Action Pittsburgh, we extend our deepest gratitude to Senator Williams for her leadership in working to abrogate the language that essentially repeals Pittsburgh’s long-standing rodeo ban,” said Natalie Ahwesh, Executive Director of Humane Action Pittsburgh. “For over 30 years, our city has stood firm in protecting animals from the cruel practices associated with rodeos, and this legislation will honor the values of compassion and local autonomy that we hold dear. This is a vital step toward upholding humane protections across the Commonwealth, and we are incredibly thankful for her efforts to safeguard the progress we’ve made.”