A federal judge in Idaho Thursday refused to toss out a challenge to the state's “ag-gag” law that was passed by Idaho legislators earlier this year at the urging of the state’s $2.5 billion dairy industry. The law spells out stiff punishments for people who secretly tape agricultural operations.
A coalition including the ACLU of Idaho, Center for Food Safety, and Animal Legal Defense Fund sued to overturn it. They allege the law violates free speech and other constitutional principles.
In April, attorney’s for Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter asked a judge to dismiss the case. They argued the coalition did not have the right to challenge the law. Judge B. Lynn Winmill disagreed with Otter's attorneys and will hear the case.
However, Winmill added that he is dismissing Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter as a defendant from the case because Otter does not directly oversee enforcing the law.
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