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S 544

Provides that the town board of certain towns may establish maximum speed limits on certain town highways

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dan Stec

Massachusetts bill bans force-feeding birds to enlarge livers and bans sale of products from such birds, effectively ending foie gras production and sales in the state.

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Bill Summary · S 544

Summary — S.544 (2025): "An Act prohibiting the mistreatment of birds"

Purpose

This bill amends Massachusetts General Laws (chapter 94) to prohibit the force‑feeding of birds for the purpose of enlarging their livers and to prohibit sale or distribution of products that result from that practice. It is aimed at practices commonly associated with foie gras production.

Key provisions

  • Adds definitions to chapter 94, §118:
    • Bird: “any winged vertebrate, such as a duck or goose.”
    • Force feeding: “a process that causes a bird to consume more food than a typical bird of the same species would consume voluntarily,” including but not limited to delivering feed through a tube or other device inserted into the bird’s esophagus.
    • Replaces the existing definition of “poultry” with: “any domesticated bird, whether live or dead, including a duck or goose.”
  • Amends chapter 94, §127:
    • Inserts a new clause in subsection (a) making it unlawful to “force feed a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond the normal size or hire another person to do so.”
    • Inserts a new clause in subsection (b) making unlawful “any products that are the result of force feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond the normal size.” (i.e., prohibits sale/distribution of such products)

Who would be affected

  • Commercial producers using force‑feeding methods (notably foie gras producers) — production would be prohibited.
  • Retailers, restaurants, and distributors — sale or offering for sale of products derived from force‑fed birds would be prohibited.
  • Consumers — availability of such products in Massachusetts would be curtailed.
  • Regulators and enforcement agencies responsible for enforcing Chapter 94 food and animal welfare provisions.

Enforcement and penalties

  • The bill adds prohibitions to chapter 94 but does not itself specify new penalty levels or enforcement mechanisms; enforcement would proceed under the existing authorities and penalty structure that apply to violations of chapter 94 unless other statutory changes are made elsewhere.

Legislative status and timeline (as provided)

  • Introduced in the Senate: February 12, 2025.
  • Referred to and heard by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (hearings: 3/12/2025).
  • Ordered to be reported favorably without amendment: 4/9/2025.
  • Reported favorably and referred to Senate Ways & Means: 11/13/2025. (Note: some metadata in the file references other committee referrals; the committee actions above reflect the bill text’s reported activity.)

Practical implications / notes

  • If enacted, the statute would effectively ban in‑state force‑feeding operations and the sale of products derived from such operations, likely ending foie gras production and commerce that depends on force feeding within Massachusetts.
  • The bill’s definitions and product prohibition are broadly worded; implementing regulations and enforcement guidance would likely be needed to define compliance, inspection, and penalties in practice.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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