Ag-Gag Laws by State

Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: April 2026

Whether the state has an ag-gag statute restricting undercover investigations at agricultural operations, current court status of the law, and the criminal or civil penalty for violation.

50 States2 data columnsLast updated: May 2026

Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.

Statute Exists	Court Status	Penalty
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
Yes	Upheld 2022	Civil damages
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
Yes	Partially struck	Misdemeanor
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
Yes	Partially struck	Misdemeanor
Yes	Struck 2020	Felony
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
Yes	Active	Misdemeanor
Yes	Active	Misdemeanor
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
Yes	Upheld 2023	Civil damages
Yes	Active	Class B misd.
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
Yes	Struck 2017	Repealed
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
No	N/A	N/A
Yes	Struck 2018	Repealed
No	N/A	N/A

Federal courts have struck down portions of ag-gag laws in Idaho (ALDF v. Otter), Iowa (ALDF v. Reynolds), Utah, Wyoming, Kansas, and North Carolina on First Amendment grounds. Arkansas's civil liability statute was upheld by the Eighth Circuit in 2022. PETA, Mercy for Animals, and the ACLU have been the principal litigants challenging these statutes.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.