RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 159 (HB 754) 2020 Regular Session Dustin Miller
Existing law requires livestock brand inspectors to have certain powers and duties as peace
officers to perform law enforcement functions relative to rules and regulations enacted by
the La. Board of Animal Health, Part 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 3 of the La. Revised Statutes
of 1950, provisions in the La. Criminal Code related to the theft of animals, the illegal
branding or marking of animals, the disposition of strayed animals, the theft of any farm
machinery, equipment, or supplies, and with respect to any other farm-related crime.
New law expands the powers and duties of livestock brand inspectors to add the following:
(1)While on special assignment during any riot, insurrection, or any declared disaster
or while in protection of immovable property, movable property, assets, and
resources of the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, any commissioned livestock brand
inspector will possess all the powers and authority of regular law enforcement
officers of this state.
(2)Upon the request of any regular law enforcement agency of this state, livestock brand
inspectors must prevent and detect crime, apprehend criminals, enforce the criminal
and traffic laws of the state, keep the peace and good order in the state in the
enforcement of the state's police powers, and perform any other related duties
imposed upon them by the legislature.
Effective Aug. 1, 2020
(Adds R.S. 3:734(C) and (D))