To enact Section 1 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the State of Ohio

This proposed amendment would:

1. Require the state to create the Livestock Care Standards Board to prescribe standards for animal care and well-being that endeavor to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food, and protect Ohio farms and families.
2. Authorize this bipartisan board of thirteen members to consider factors that include, but are not limited to, agricultural best management practices for such care and well-being, biosecurity, disease prevention, animal morbidity and mortality data, food safety practices, and the protection of local, affordable food supplies for consumers when establishing and implementing standards.
3. Provide that the board shall be comprised of thirteen Ohio residents including
   representatives of Ohio family farms, farming organizations, food safety experts,
   veterinarians, consumers, the dean of the agriculture department at an Ohio college or university and a county humane society representative.
4. Authorize the Ohio department that regulates agriculture to administer and enforce the standards established by the board, subject to the authority of the General Assembly.

A “YES” vote means approval of the amendment.
A “NO” vote means disapproval of the amendment.

A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted.

If adopted, this amendment shall take effect immediately.

League Explanation of Issue 2: 

• This proposed constitutional amendment would create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board for the purpose of establishing standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio. 
• The bipartisan board would consist of thirteen members:
• The director of the state department that regulates agriculture
• Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, including:
• One member representing family farms
• One member knowledgeable about food safety
• Two members representing statewide organizations that represent farmers
• One member who is a veterinarian
• The State Veterinarian in the state department that regulates agriculture
• The dean of the agriculture department of a college or university in Ohio
• Two members of the public representing Ohio consumers
• One member representing a county humane society
• One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who shall be a family farmer
• One member appointed by the President of the Senate who shall be a family farmer
• The Board would have authority to establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio, subject only to the authority of the General Assembly. 

Proponents of the proposed amendment argue that:

1. The board represents a balance of interests.
2. The board would establish standards governing the care and well being of livestock and poultry in Ohio.
3. Ohioans can have greater confidence in the safety of locally produced food.

Opponents of the proposed amendment argue that:

1. The board should be created by statute rather than by amendment to the Ohio Constitution.
2. Creating another regulatory board utilizes revenues best spent on basic services to Ohioans.
3. The amendment could prevent certain animal care reform proposed by national animal rights organizations.