Bill > HB1417

This bill modernizes the livestock identification system in Texas by establishing an electronic registry of livestock marks and brands managed by the Texas Animal Health Commission. The bill expands the definition of acceptable identification methods for cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats to include electronic devices and other generally accepted methods, beyond traditional earmarks and brands. County clerks will now be required to maintain electronic records of livestock marks and brands and transmit these records electronically to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days of recording. The bill allows livestock owners to record their marks and brands electronically and permits them to authorize an agent to complete the recording on their behalf. A new public-facing electronic registry will be created, which will be searchable but will not display personal identifying information. Law enforcement will have a separate process to access personal details associated with specific marks and brands. Livestock owners are still required to record or re-record their marks and brands every 10 years, with the next recording deadline set for September 1, 2031. The bill also modifies legal presumptions about animal control, adding mark and brand registration as a factor in determining an animal's caretaker. The Texas Animal Health Commission is tasked with developing rules to implement these changes, with the new system set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1417