Crook County Democratic Central Committee
Resolution No. 2026-05-12
Opposing Oregon Initiative Petition 28 (PEACE Act)

WHEREAS, the County Central Committee is the highest Party authority in the County and is charged with the establishment of public policy through its platform and resolutions; and

WHEREAS, the members of the County Central Committee recognize that Oregon already has strong animal cruelty laws and that IP28 serves only to implement a radical ideological agenda that is incompatible with the state’s economy and ecological health;

Current Laws

WHEREAS, Initiative Petition 28 (IP28), marketed under the title “People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE Act),” seeks to fundamentally alter Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 167.315 through 167.333 by removing longstanding legal exemptions for hunting, fishing, trapping, and farming; and

WHEREAS, Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28), also known as the “PEACE Act,” will ban hunting, fishing, animal breeding, animal farming, ranching, and research if it is approved for the ballot and passes as a ballot measure in the November 3, 2026, election; and

Agricultural Impacts

WHEREAS, the proposed measure would criminalize standard agricultural and husbandry practices, effectively ending animal-based food production in Oregon and turning farmers and ranchers into criminals; and

WHEREAS, IP28 seeks to reclassify routine and necessary veterinary and breeding practices, such as artificial insemination, as “animal sexual assault,” subjecting professionals to felony charges and potential sex-offender registration; and

WHEREAS, 22,538 animal farms and ranches would be shut down if IP28 passes, affecting 72,040 farm labor workers and 1,580 slaughter and meat-packing workers; and

WHEREAS, IP28 could be interpreted to criminalize standard animal breeding practices, including veterinary reproductive exams, artificial insemination, and assisted breeding; and

Sporting, Fishing, Hunting Impacts:

WHEREAS, over 1 million Oregonians hunt or fish annually and would be unable to do so if IP28 passes; and

WHEREAS, the criminalization of hunting and fishing would defund the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife by removing license-fee revenue, which provides 45-55% of the agency’s budget and funds critical habitat restoration and species recovery; and

WHEREAS, hunting, fishing, and animal agriculture play a significant role in sustaining local economies, particularly in rural Oregon communities where small businesses and seasonal tourism depend on these activities; and

WHEREAS, the measure threatens the livelihood of over one million Oregonians involved in agriculture, commercial fishing, and the sporting industry, while increasing food costs for all families; and

WHEREAS, IP28 creates legal ambiguity and fails to exempt pest control and wildlife management; and

Tribal Nations:

WHEREAS, IP28 constitutes a direct assault on the treaty-protected rights of Oregon’s federally recognized tribes and their cultural heritage; and

WHEREAS, IP 28 contains no explicit exemption or recognition of the treaty-reserved hunting, fishing, and animal stewardship rights of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribal Nations, raising serious constitutional concerns and ignoring longstanding federal Indian law, and potentially undermining government-to-government relationships and Tribal sovereignty; and

Deception:

WHEREAS, proponents of IP28 have utilized deceptive signature-gathering tactics and outside funding to mislead Oregon voters regarding the radical and destructive nature of the initiative; and

WHEREAS, IP28 is getting media coverage, especially in rural areas, and Republicans are using it to create fear on social media.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CROOK COUNTY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. The Democratic Party of Crook County strongly opposes Initiative Petition 28 (the “PEACE Act”).

Section 2. The Democratic Party of Crook County affirms its commitment to evidence-based policymaking, environmental stewardship, rural economic stability, tribal sovereignty, labor protections, and humane treatment of animals.

Section 3. The Democratic Party of Crook County recognizes the vital role of hunting, fishing, farming, ranching, and food production in Oregon’s economy, culture, and food security, and opposes policies that would abruptly eliminate these lawful livelihoods or create broad legal uncertainty.

SUBMITTED BY:

Brian K. Samp
Chair
Crook County Democratic Central Committee.

 ATTESTED BY:

Dee-ette Coonse
Precinct Committee Person, State Central Committee Representative
Crook County Democratic Central Committee

A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CROOK COUNTY

Opposing Initiative Petition 28, which would ban hunting, fishing, and animal agriculture.

Resolution submitted by: Brian K. Samp, Chair
Seconded by Paula Minetti-Maboll, Precinct Committee Person

ADOPTED unanimously by the Democratic Party of Crook County on  the 12th day of May, 2026.