S.B. No. 1389




AN ACT

relating to livestock branding and identification.                            
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subsection (a), Section 144.001, Agriculture 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Each person who has cattle, hogs, sheep, or goats shall 
have and may use one or more earmarks, [and one or more] brands, 
tattoos, or electronic devices differing from the earmarks, [and] 
brands, tattoos, and electronic devices of the person's neighbors.
	SECTION 2.  Section 144.041, Agriculture Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (f) to read as 
follows:
	(a)  Each person who owns cattle, hogs, sheep, or goats shall 
record that person's earmarks, [and] brands, tattoos, and 
electronic devices with the county clerk of the county in which the 
animals are located.
	(f)  Not later than the 30th day after the date a county clerk 
receives a record relating to cattle or horses under this section, 
the clerk shall forward a copy of the record to the association 
authorized to inspect livestock under 7 U.S.C. Section 217a.
	SECTION 3.  Section 144.042, Agriculture Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 144.042.  RECORDING.  In recording a mark, electronic 
device, tattoo, or brand, the county clerk shall note the date on 
which the mark, electronic device, tattoo, or brand is recorded.  In 
addition, the person recording a mark, electronic device, tattoo, 
or brand shall designate the part of the animal on which the mark, 
electronic device, tattoo, or brand is to be placed and the clerk 
shall include that in the records.
	SECTION 4.  Section 144.044, Agriculture Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
	(d)  Not later than the 30th day after the date a county clerk 
receives a record relating to cattle or horses under this section, 
the clerk shall forward a copy of the record to the association 
authorized to inspect livestock under 7 U.S.C. Section 217a.
	SECTION 5.  The following provisions of the Agriculture Code 
are repealed:   
		(1)  Sections 144.123, 144.126, and 146.002;                                  
		(2)  Subchapters B and D, Chapter 144; and                                    
		(3)  Subchapter C, Chapter 146.                                               
	SECTION 6.  An offense committed before the effective date 
of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the offense was 
committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that 
purpose.  An offense is committed before the effective date of this 
Act if any element of the offense occurs before the effective date.
	SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           

                                                                              




______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1389 passed the Senate on 
May 6, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the 
Senate concurred in House amendments on May 29, 2003, by a 
viva-voce vote.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1389 passed the House, with 
amendments, on May 24, 2003, by a non-record vote.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor