Humane World for Animals on What’s Happening With California Prop 12, the Farm Bill and Save Our Bacon Act

As the U.S. Congress continues debate on the Farm Bill, a major agricultural legislative package, Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund (formerly the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund) have released a detailed timeline and explainer regarding California's Proposition 12, Massachusetts Question 3, and the ongoing fight over state farm animal protection laws.

The organizations warn that the so-called 'Save Our Bacon Act' threatens to undermine voter-approved measures.

'For more than a decade, we have fought state by state to end the cruel confinement of farm animals, and we successfully defended California's landmark Proposition 12 all the way to the Supreme Court. We are not going to let Congress undo that progress,' said Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund.

California's Proposition 12, approved by 63% of voters in 2018, prohibits the in-state production and sale of food products from mother pigs, egg-laying chickens, and veal calves if they are derived from animals kept in extreme confinement. Massachusetts Question 3, passed by a 78% majority in 2016, imposes similar restrictions.

Fifteen states have enacted laws addressing cruel confinement of farm animals.

Federal courts have consistently upheld these laws. The U.S.

Supreme Court upheld Prop 12 in May 2023, and in October 2025, the First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Massachusetts Question 3. Despite these legal victories, pork industry groups have pushed Congress to nullify such state laws.

In February 2026, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn 'GT' Thompson introduced a Farm Bill that includes a provision (Sec. 12006) to nullify Prop 12, mirroring the 'Save Our Bacon Act.' The House passed the bill largely on party lines in April 2026.

Attention now turns to the Senate, where Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman has indicated he may avoid including Prop 12 language in his chamber's version. The legislation is opposed by a coalition of over 6,600 groups and individuals, including farmers, veterinarians, and elected officials.

Key events in the timeline include: 2008 – first major congressional preemption fight; 2008-2010 – California sets standards with Proposition 2 and AB 1437; 2014 – Steve King amendment defeated; 2016 – Massachusetts Question 3 approved; 2018 – King amendment defeated again, California Prop 12 approved; 2019-2025 – multiple pork industry lawsuits; May 2023 – Supreme Court upholds Prop 12; June 2023 – EATS Act introduced; May 2024 – House Farm Bill includes rollback language; July 2025 – 'One Big Beautiful Bill' passed; July 2025 – DOJ sues California, 'Save Our Bacon Act' introduced; October 2025 – First Circuit upholds Question 3; April 2026 – Farm Bill passes House.