No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7371

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Last Updated

2026-06-24T08:10:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026" aims to ban the air transport of adult roosters (male chickens) as cargo in interstate and foreign commerce. It seeks to improve aviation safety by reducing risks from animal stress or disease, enhance biosecurity to prevent outbreaks like avian flu, and boost airline efficiency by minimizing flight disruptions. The bill specifically targets non-essential shipments linked to illegal activities, such as cockfighting, while protecting legitimate commercial farming.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Transport: Air carriers and aircraft operators are barred from knowingly transporting adult roosters as cargo, except in specific cases.
• Exemptions: The ban does not apply to shipments from or to "commercial farms" (farms with at least $350,000 in annual gross income from farming activities, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service) if the transport is for legitimate agricultural purposes, such as egg or meat production.
• Certification Requirements: Exempt shipments require documentation, like financial records or USDA-aligned attestations, proving the farm's commercial status. Air carriers cannot accept roosters without this certification.
• Definitions:
• Adult Rooster: A male chicken at least 6 months old, showing signs of maturity like spurs, a large comb, and crowing.
• Air Carrier: Any entity providing air transportation services, as defined in existing federal law.
• Interstate or Foreign Air Transportation: Covers domestic flights between states and international flights involving the U.S.
• Enforcement: The Secretary of Transportation, working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will oversee compliance and can issue regulations. Violations carry civil penalties (fines) under existing aviation laws.
• Rule of Construction: The law does not override state laws that offer stronger aviation safety rules or tighter restrictions on live animal transport.
• Effective Date: Takes effect 180 days after being signed into law.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill adds a new section (Section 44949) to Chapter 449 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code, which governs aviation security and safety. Previously, there were no specific federal restrictions on transporting live animals like roosters by air, beyond general cargo rules. This introduces targeted prohibitions and exemptions, filling a gap in regulations for high-risk animal cargo without altering broader animal welfare or commerce laws.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA will need to develop and enforce new rules, potentially increasing administrative workload and coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for farm certifications. This could lead to more inspections at airports.
• On Citizens and Businesses: Airlines and cargo operators may see fewer disruptions from stressed animals, improving flight reliability and reducing biosecurity risks for passengers and crew. Individuals involved in non-commercial rooster transport (e.g., for hobbies or illegal fights) will face barriers, potentially curbing activities like cockfighting. Legitimate farmers in the poultry industry should experience minimal disruption due to exemptions.
• On International Relations: The restrictions apply to foreign air commerce, which could affect international agricultural trade or animal shipments involving the U.S., but exemptions for commercial operations aim to preserve global supply chains for food production.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Air Carriers and Operators: Directly responsible for compliance; must verify certifications and face penalties for violations.
• Commercial Poultry Farms: Benefit from exemptions, allowing continued air transport for business needs like supplying eggs or meat.
• Non-Commercial Rooster Owners or Transporters: Impacted by the ban, particularly those linked to illegal cockfighting rings, as air travel becomes unavailable for such purposes.
• Government Entities: DOT, FAA (enforcement and regulation), and USDA (farm income classifications and biosecurity guidance).
• Travelers and the Public: Indirectly benefit from safer, more efficient flights and reduced disease risks from unregulated animal cargo.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Strengthens federal oversight of air cargo under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which allows regulation of interstate and foreign commerce. Civil penalties align with existing aviation enforcement tools, making violations easier to prosecute without creating new criminal offenses. The bill avoids conflicts with state laws by allowing stricter local rules.
• Constitutional Implications: No major challenges anticipated, as it regulates commercial activity rather than restricting free speech or movement; exemptions prevent undue burden on legitimate agriculture, balancing safety with economic interests.
• Political Implications: Introduced with bipartisan support from 12 House members, reflecting consensus on combating illegal animal fighting while supporting farming. It highlights tensions between animal welfare, biosecurity, and industry needs, potentially influencing future debates on live cargo regulations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

Cosponsors (21)

Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
• 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (5 pages)