No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
- Committees
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 5, 2026
Bottom line
The No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026 aims to enhance aviation safety and biosecurity by restricting the air transport of adult roosters, with an exemption for large commercial agricultural operations.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits air carriers and other persons from knowingly transporting adult roosters as cargo in interstate or foreign air transportation. It includes an exemption for transport originating from or destined for a commercial farm, provided the transport is for legitimate agricultural purposes. The bill defines an 'adult rooster' as a male chicken at least 6 months old and a 'commercial farm' as one with $350,000 or more in annual gross cash farm income, based on USDA Economic Research Service guidelines.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that restricting the air transportation of adult roosters will enhance aviation safety by reducing risks associated with stressed animals, improve biosecurity by limiting the unregulated movement of birds that could carry avian diseases, and boost operational efficiency for airlines. They also contend that this measure will help combat illegal activities like cockfighting, which often rely on rapid air transport of birds, without disrupting legitimate large-scale commercial poultry operations.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that the bill's definition of a 'commercial farm' (requiring $350,000 in annual gross cash farm income) is too high, potentially penalizing smaller, legitimate breeders, hobbyists, or those involved in heritage breed preservation who need to transport roosters for non-fighting purposes. They may also contend that existing animal welfare laws and anti-cockfighting statutes are sufficient, and that this bill places an undue burden on air carriers to verify farm status and on individuals who fall outside the exemption.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick read and easy to understand its core provisions.
Section 3(a) and (b)
Prohibition on Air Transportation of Adult Roosters with Commercial Farm Exemption
This provision establishes a general ban on air carriers and other individuals from knowingly transporting adult roosters as cargo on flights within the U.S. or internationally. However, it carves out a significant exception: the ban does not apply if the roosters are being transported to or from a farm that meets the definition of a 'commercial farm' and the purpose of transport is for legitimate agricultural activities. This aims to target illegal activities while protecting established agricultural businesses.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue this provision directly addresses the identified risks to aviation safety and biosecurity, particularly those linked to illegal cockfighting, by making it harder to move birds for such purposes. They emphasize that the commercial farm exemption ensures legitimate agricultural supply chains are not disrupted, striking a necessary balance.
Critics contend
Opponents might contend that the broad prohibition, even with an exemption, could inadvertently harm small-scale legitimate breeders or those involved in conservation efforts who do not meet the high financial threshold of a 'commercial farm.' They may argue it's an overreach that could complicate legitimate animal husbandry without significantly deterring determined illegal actors.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the goal of enhancing aviation safety and biosecurity and combating illegal activities against the potential for imposing new restrictions or burdens on legitimate, albeit smaller, agricultural or breeding operations. The specific financial threshold for 'commercial farm' is a key tension point.
Section 3(c)
Certification Requirement for Commercial Farm Exemption
For any transport of adult roosters claiming the commercial farm exemption, the person arranging the transport must provide documentation to the air carrier. This documentation must certify that the farm meets the definition of a 'commercial farm,' potentially including financial records or attestations consistent with USDA Economic Research Service guidelines. Air carriers are explicitly forbidden from accepting roosters for transport without this certification.
The definition of 'commercial farm' is set at any farm with $350,000 or more in annual gross cash farm income, referencing classifications by the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Section 3(d)(3)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to consolidate definitions, but its specific financial threshold is highly consequential for the bill's scope and could be missed by a casual reader focusing only on the prohibition and general exemption.
Case for: Proponents would argue that this specific threshold is a data-driven approach, aligning with established USDA classifications for large-scale agricultural operations, thereby ensuring the exemption truly serves commercial agriculture and not smaller, potentially hobbyist operations that might be a higher risk for illicit activities.
Case against: Opponents might contend that this high financial threshold arbitrarily excludes many legitimate small and medium-sized farms or specialized breeders who do not meet the $350,000 income requirement but are not involved in illegal activities. They could argue it creates an unfair disadvantage for smaller operations.
Estimated impact: This definition significantly narrows the scope of the exemption, impacting all farms with less than $350,000 in annual gross cash farm income by making them subject to the air transport prohibition for adult roosters.