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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. TASK FORCE ON UPDATING LIVESTOCK BRAND |
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REGISTRATION PROCESS. (a) A task force is established under this |
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subchapter to make recommendations for updating the process of |
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brand registration before the upcoming brand registration renewals |
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required in 2032. |
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(b) The Texas Animal Health Commission shall establish a |
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task force that is composed of representatives from: |
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(1) the County and District Clerks Association of |
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Texas; |
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(2) county sheriff's departments; |
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(3) the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers |
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Association; and |
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(4) any other association or department that the Texas |
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Animal Health Commission determines necessary. |
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Sec. 144.062. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force |
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established under this subchapter 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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stray 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 stray 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 stray 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 stray |
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cattle 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. REPORTS. The task force established under |
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this subchapter shall prepare and submit reports based on the task |
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force's recommendations to the governor, lieutenant governor, |
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speaker of the house of representatives, and the chairs of the |
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relevant legislative committees: |
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(1) a first interim report to be submitted not later |
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than December 1, 2024; |
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(2) a second interim report to be submitted not later |
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than December 1, 2026; |
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(3) a third interim report to be submitted not later |
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than December 1, 2028; |
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(4) a final interim report to be submitted not later |
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than December 1, 2030; and |
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(5) a comprehensive report of the task force's |
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analysis and findings after the implementation of the updated brand |
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registration process to be submitted following the brand renewal in |
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2032, not later than December 1, 2032. |
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Sec. 144.064. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires January |
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1, 2033. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |