C.S.S.B. 1389 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.S.B. 1389
By: Duncan
Agriculture & Livestock
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas brand law, in some instances, dates back to 1848.  C.S.S.B. 1389
recognizes technological advances in animal ownership identification,
including the use of electronic devices and tattoos.  The bill repeals
various obsolete provisions relating to county brands, road brands, and
other archaic provisions of Chapters 144 and 146 of the Agriculture Code.
The bill also updates Chapter 144 to include electronic devices and
tattoos as acceptable methods of branding of livestock. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 


ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 1389 amends Chapter 144, Agriculture Code, to broaden the
acceptable methods of branding of livestock to include using tattoos and
electronic devices.  The bill requires that the brands be registered and
recorded with the county clerk of the county in which the animals are
located.  The county clerk is required to forward a copy of the record to
the association authorized to inspect livestock under 7 U.S.C. Section
217a. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The original senate bill included a definition of "livestock"in various
sections of the bill, and a definition of "Texas agricultural product"
whereas the substitute does not.  The original deletes Sections 53.001(3),
142.001(2), 147.001(2), and 161.001(a)(3) whereas the substitute does not.