FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6694

                          C 105 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Microchipping equine.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Agriculture & Agricultural Trade & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Morton, A. Anderson and Rasmussen).

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Agricultural Trade & Development

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Background:  Implanting microchips in horses as a means of identification is becoming more common.  Normally, the chip is located in the neck ligament where it can be scanned with a microchip reader.

Livestock can be identified as to ownership by placing on the animal a brand registered with the Department of Agriculture.  Removal or alteration of a brand without the prior written permission of the director is gross misdemeanor.

There currently is no specific penalty for removal of a microchip from horses.

Summary:  Microchipping is defined as the implantation of a microchip or similar electronic identification device for the purpose of establishing the identity of an individual animal.  In horses, microchips may be implanted in the nuchal ligament in the neck.  For other livestock, when requested by an association of producers of that species of livestock, the director may establish by rule the location that a microchip may be implanted.

A person who removes or causes to be removed a microchip with the intent to defraud a subsequent purchaser is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

The Department of Agriculture is authorized to investigate incidents where it is apparent that a microchip is removed from a horse.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    48 1

House     96 0

Effective:  June 6, 1996