FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1958

                         C 110 L 91

                     Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing requirements and penalties for livestock brands.

By House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Rayburn, Nealey, McLean, Chandler, Roland, Franklin and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Agriculture).

House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Water Resources

Background:  Most violations of the state's livestock brand laws are misdemeanors.  A misdemeanor under the state's Criminal Code is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days, by a fine of not more than $1000, or by both fine and imprisonment.  A gross misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, a fine of not more than $5000, or both imprisonment and fine.  The maximum penalty for a Class I civil infraction is $250.

Some of the times at which brand inspections of cattle and horses must be conducted are specified by law.  Others are specified by the Director of Agriculture by rule.

Summary:  The penalties for violating the state's laws regarding livestock brands which were misdemeanors are changed.  Knowingly possessing livestock marked with the recorded brand or tattoo of another person is now a gross misdemeanor.  All other violations which were misdemeanors are now Class I civil infractions.

Required times for brand inspections of cattle and horses must be made are no longer specified by statute; they are all to be specified by rule of the Director of Agriculture.  The director may by rule require brand records to be provided to the Department of Agriculture.  The renewal date for a brand registration is now set by a schedule established by rule rather than by statute. 

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96   0

Senate 40   0

Effective:    July 28, 1991