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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a task force to make |
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recommendations for updating the livestock brand registration |
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process. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 144, Agriculture Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter D to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER D. UPDATED LIVESTOCK BRAND REGISTRATION TASK FORCE |
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Sec. 144.061. ESTABLISHMENT AND COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. |
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(a) The updated livestock brand registration task force is |
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established under this subchapter to make recommendations for |
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updating the process of brand registration before the upcoming |
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brand registration renewals required in 2031. |
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(b) The Texas Animal Health Commission shall establish the |
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task force. The task force is composed of: |
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(1) two representatives from the County and District |
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Clerks Association of Texas; |
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(2) two representatives from county sheriff's |
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departments; |
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(3) two representatives from the Texas and |
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Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; |
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(4) two representatives from the Independent |
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Cattlemen's Association of Texas; |
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(5) two representatives from the Texas Sheep and Goat |
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Raisers Association; |
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(6) two representatives from the Texas Pork Producers |
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Association; |
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(7) two representatives from the Texas A&M AgriLife |
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Extension Service; and |
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(8) two representatives from any other association or |
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department that the Texas Animal Health Commission determines |
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necessary. |
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Sec. 144.062. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The updated livestock |
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brand registration task force shall: |
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(1) develop recommendations for the implementation of |
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a digital registration method for livestock brands that: |
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(A) is standard across all counties; |
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(B) uses a database that will standardize the |
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format of information for all counties; and |
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(C) has other attributes of functionality that |
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the task force identifies as useful; |
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(2) develop recommendations for a technology to |
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identify livestock that would be standardized across the state and: |
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(A) allows the information to be read wirelessly |
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at a distance of at least 30 feet; |
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(B) interfaces with the statewide digital brand |
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database; |
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(C) is easy to implement across all producers, |
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including large scale and small scale producers; |
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(D) allows easy identification of the owners of |
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estray livestock; and |
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(E) has other attributes of functionality that |
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the task force identifies as useful; |
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(3) develop recommendations for updating Chapter 142, |
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Agriculture Code, that: |
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(A) would simplify and speed the process of |
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reuniting estray livestock with owners; |
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(B) reduces the operational and financial burden |
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placed on law enforcement and political subdivisions associated |
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with estray livestock; and |
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(C) has other attributes of functionality that |
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the task force identifies as useful; |
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(4) develop recommendations for creating a digital |
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guide of best practices for livestock owners, political |
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subdivisions, and law enforcement agencies associated with estray |
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livestock and livestock branding and identification; and |
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(5) establish other goals or recommendations the task |
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force identifies as within its scope and worth pursuing or |
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recommending. |
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Sec. 144.063. GIFTS. The updated livestock brand |
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registration task force may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and |
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donations from public and private entities to use for the purposes |
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of this subchapter. |
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Sec. 144.064. REPORTS. The updated livestock brand |
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registration task force shall prepare and submit reports based on |
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the task force's recommendations to the governor, lieutenant |
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governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and the chairs |
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of the relevant legislative committees. The task force shall |
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submit: |
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(1) a first interim report not later than December 1, |
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2024; |
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(2) a second interim report not later than December 1, |
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2026; |
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(3) a third interim report not later than December 1, |
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2028; |
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(4) a final interim report not later than December 1, |
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2030; and |
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(5) not later than December 1, 2032, a comprehensive |
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report of the task force's analysis and findings after the |
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implementation of the updated brand registration process following |
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the brand renewal in 2031. |
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Sec. 144.065. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires January |
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1, 2033. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |