Statewide Iowa — The ACLU of Iowa is challenging the latest version of the state law that seeks to prevent people from going undercover at livestock production or packing facilities.
A federal judge ruled in favor of the group in its lawsuit against the first version of the so-called “ag-gag” law. ACLU Iowa legal director, Rita Bettis Austen, says the new law is just slightly different than the first.
She says the new law has the same issue as the old one.
The harm referred to is the harm to a businesses reputation or economic harm caused by the reaction to the things revealed by undercover investigations.
The second law was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds on March 14th. Austen says this law’s limited scope also makes it illegal.
A state lawmaker said during debate that the new law was based on an Idaho law that withstood a legal challenge. Austen says that is not correct. She says the one area of the law that can stand is the portion that prevents someone from harming someone at a business or doing physical damage to a facility.
The first law is on hold while the state appeals the ruling. The second law went into effect as soon as the governor signed it, but Austen says they will also seek an injunction against it while the case is heard.
