The Human Services Committee voted 10‑1 to pass amendments that convert House Bill 1458 into a study rather than immediate statutory change. Committee members said new information from the state veterinarian and in‑state researchers prompted the reconsideration.

Representative Fairley moved to reconsider the committee's prior action on HB 1458 after the state veterinarian raised concerns that the earlier amendments might affect agricultural research and animal agriculture. In discussion, members cited potential impacts on a state research company that could be studying self‑spreading viruses or related biological research. Representative Fraley said converting the bill to a study would allow the committee to gather more information on safety, regulatory frameworks and research impacts before advancing permanent law.

A motion to pass amendments making HB 1458 a study was seconded and adopted. The committee later moved and approved a "do pass as amended" recommendation on House Bill 1458 (as amended into a study). The clerk recorded the final roll call as 10 yes, 1 no; the lone no vote was Representative Belt(s). The motion passed and committee members named Representative Belts as the bill carrier (Representative Freilich had carried it previously).

Committee members who spoke said the study would ask for additional input from the state veterinarian, relevant researchers, and affected agricultural stakeholders to evaluate risks to animal agriculture and the regulatory needs for any research‑related activities. The committee did not adopt substantive policy changes; it converted the bill into a study and advanced it to the floor as amended.

Ending: The committee recorded the amended HB 1458 as passing the committee 10‑1; it will proceed to the full House with the amendment that it be treated as a study.