AG Bonta Wins Lawsuit Dismissing Trump Admin Prop 12 Challenge

CA Attorney General Press Releases

Filed March 20th, 2026

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a district court decision dismissing the Trump Administration's lawsuit challenging Proposition 12, a California voter-approved initiative concerning animal welfare for farmed animals. The administration had claimed the state law conflicted with federal egg inspection laws and increased egg prices.

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What changed

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has dismissed the Trump Administration's lawsuit against California's Proposition 12, a 2018 ballot initiative aimed at improving animal welfare conditions for egg-laying hens. The lawsuit, filed by the Trump Administration, alleged that Proposition 12's requirements conflicted with federal law and contributed to rising egg prices. Attorney General Bonta stated that the decision affirms the validity of California's animal welfare laws and rejects the administration's claims.

This ruling effectively upholds California's Proposition 12, meaning the animal welfare standards remain in place. For regulated entities, this signifies that compliance with Proposition 12's requirements for egg-laying hens is still necessary within California. The dismissal of the federal challenge removes a significant legal obstacle to the enforcement of these state-level animal welfare regulations.

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General Bonta Secures District Court Decision Dismissing Trump Administration Lawsuit Challenging California's Proposition 12

Press Release
Attorney General Bonta Secures District Court Decision Dismi… Friday, March 20, 2026 Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California’s decision to dismiss the Trump Administration’s lawsuit against California's Proposition 12. Last July, the Administration challenged provisions of Proposition 12, California’s 2018 voter-passed ballot initiative to improve conditions for farmed animals and related regulations concerning egg-laying hens. The Trump Administration falsely asserted that these state requirements conflict with a federal law regarding egg inspection and are increasing egg prices.

"Today's decision affirms that the Trump Administration had no valid case against California's voter-approved animal welfare laws. Its bogus claims are nothing more than an attempt to distract from a broader affordability crisis of their own making," said Attorney General Bonta. “Since Day One, they have never been able to explain how these commonsense animal welfare laws harm the interest of the United States. As Attorney General, I’ll continue to stand up for Californians and the rule of law.”