Kansas House Bill HB2543

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/24
• Refer: 1/18/24
• Report Pass: 2/15/24
• Refer: 2/23/24
• Refer: 2/28/24
• Engrossed: 3/4/24
• Refer: 3/5/24
• Report Pass: 3/20/24
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Requiring approval of livestock brand applications by the animal health commissioner and increasing the maximum amount for brand registration and renewal fees.

Impact

The bill seeks to streamline the livestock branding process by creating clearer rules and regulations surrounding the application and renewal of livestock brands. This could improve the overall integrity of livestock ownership claims and assure that brands are only used by those who have legally registered them. By enhancing the enforcement of brand registration, the bill aims to protect livestock owners from brand theft and help ensure the traceability of livestock, aligning with broader agricultural best practices.

Summary

House Bill 2543 is a legislative measure concerning the registration of livestock brands in Kansas. It mandates that the approval of livestock brand applications must be overseen by the Animal Health Commissioner of the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The bill introduces changes to the registration process by requiring individuals to submit their brand along with application fees, ensuring a more regulated and standardized approach to livestock branding across the state. An important aspect of this legislation is the increase in maximum fees for brand registration and renewal, which can affect livestock owners financially.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding HB2543 is the increase in fees for registration and renewal of livestock brands. Some stakeholders may raise concerns that the new fee structure could disproportionately burden smaller livestock owners or new entrants into the agricultural sector. Additionally, the required approval from the Animal Health Commissioner may be seen as an additional bureaucratic step that could slow down the registration process, raising concerns about its efficiency.

Voting_history

HB2543 successfully passed the House after an emergency final action with significant majority support, resulting in a vote tally of 111 in favor and only 4 against. This strong support indicates a general consensus on the importance of regulating livestock branding, although the specific concerns related to fee increases and bureaucratic processes may need further discussion as the bill progresses.