Congressman Critiques Oregon’s Hunting and Fishing Ban Proposal

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (D) has criticized Oregon’s initiative to ban hunting and fishing, calling it “insane.” He even ventured to say that the artificial insemination of cows might be considered a serious crime under this proposal.

According to reports from May 26, 2026, an initiative petition known as Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28) reached the signature threshold for inclusion on the November 2026 ballot.

As noted by KOIN on February 15, 2026, the petition is officially called the People to Eliminate Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act.

This legislation aims to amend Oregon’s current animal cruelty laws to protect not just pets like dogs and cats, but also wild animals, domestic animals, and those used in research. IP 28 seeks to make it illegal to harm or kill animals, effectively banning hunting, fishing, and animal breeding.

Congressman Hoyle spoke out against the initiative, stating that it would criminalize the killing of any animal except in self-defense and could devastate commercial fisheries. He remarked, “No lie, artificially inseminating a cow would be a felony sex crime. It’s insane. There’s no other word. But petitioners are asking people, ‘Do you want to help save animals?’ And people are signing this.”

He added, almost in disbelief, “The food fairy doesn’t just show up and wave a magic wand and put meat, fish, etc. on the shelves at Whole Foods stores. That’s not how it works.”