88R13867 KBB-D
By: Guillen H.B. No. 4413
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force to make
recommendations for updating the livestock brand registration
process.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 144, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D. UPDATED LIVESTOCK BRAND REGISTRATION TASK FORCE
Sec. 144.061. TASK FORCE ON UPDATING LIVESTOCK BRAND
REGISTRATION PROCESS. (a) A task force is established under this
subchapter to make recommendations for updating the process of
brand registration before the upcoming brand registration renewals
required in 2032.
(b) The Texas Animal Health Commission shall establish a
task force that is composed of representatives from:
(1) the County and District Clerks Association of
Texas;
(2) county sheriff's departments;
(3) the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers
Association; and
(4) any other association or department that the Texas
Animal Health Commission determines necessary.
Sec. 144.062. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force
established under this subchapter shall:
(1) develop recommendations for the implementation of
a digital registration method for livestock brands that:
(A) is standard across all counties;
(B) uses a database that will standardize the
format of information for all counties; and
(C) has other attributes of functionality that
the task force identifies as useful;
(2) develop recommendations for a technology to
identify livestock that would be standardized across the state and:
(A) allows the information to be read wirelessly
at a distance of at least 30 feet;
(B) interfaces with the statewide digital brand
database;
(C) is easy to implement across all producers,
including large scale and small scale producers;
(D) allows easy identification of the owners of
stray livestock; and
(E) has other attributes of functionality that
the task force identifies as useful;
(3) develop recommendations for updating Chapter 142,
Agriculture Code, that:
(A) would simplify and speed the process of
reuniting stray livestock with owners;
(B) reduces the operational and financial burden
placed on law enforcement and political subdivisions associated
with stray livestock; and
(C) has other attributes of functionality that
the task force identifies as useful;
(4) develop recommendations for creating a digital
guide of best practices for livestock owners, political
subdivisions, and law enforcement agencies associated with stray
cattle and livestock branding and identification; and
(5) establish other goals or recommendations the task
force identifies as within its scope and worth pursuing or
recommending.
Sec. 144.063. REPORTS. The task force established under
this subchapter shall prepare and submit reports based on the task
force's recommendations to the governor, lieutenant governor,
speaker of the house of representatives, and the chairs of the
relevant legislative committees:
(1) a first interim report to be submitted not later
than December 1, 2024;
(2) a second interim report to be submitted not later
than December 1, 2026;
(3) a third interim report to be submitted not later
than December 1, 2028;
(4) a final interim report to be submitted not later
than December 1, 2030; and
(5) a comprehensive report of the task force's
analysis and findings after the implementation of the updated brand
registration process to be submitted following the brand renewal in
2032, not later than December 1, 2032.
Sec. 144.064. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires January
1, 2033.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.