SB 6204 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

     Provides that the director shall establish with the state veterinarian a procedure for brand inspection that relies upon the state's accredited veterinarians as livestock identification agents.  The director shall develop criteria to determine eligibility of veterinarians to serve as livestock identification agents.  The livestock identification agent is responsible for verifying ownership of livestock through the use of brand inspection or other approved methods of identification.

     Requires that the owner of livestock offered for sale in this state or to be transported out of state may have the livestock inspected for ownership verification prior to leaving this state for another state or country.  The inspection shall be performed by a livestock identification agent.

     Declares that it is the duty of the state patrol to inspect all livestock at established border crossings between this state and any other state or country.  The state patrol shall check for a valid certificate of ownership of all nonresident livestock prior to the movement of livestock into the state.

     Repeals provisions of chapter 16.57 RCW.