BILL REQ. #:  H-0867.2 

Read first time 01/21/11.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

     AN ACT Relating to horse brand inspection requirements; amending RCW 16.57.160; and adding a new section to chapter 16.57 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 16.57.160 and 2010 c 66 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Consistent with section 2 of this act, the director may adopt rules:
     (a) Designating any point for mandatory inspection of cattle or horses or the furnishing of proof that cattle or horses passing or being transported through the point have been inspected or identified and are lawfully being transported;
     (b) Providing for issuance of individual horse and cattle identification certificates or other means of horse and cattle identification; and
     (c) Designating the documents that constitute other satisfactory proof of ownership for cattle and horses. A bill of sale may not be designated as documenting satisfactory proof of ownership for cattle.
     (2) A self-inspection certificate may be accepted as satisfactory proof of ownership for cattle if the director determines that the self- inspection certificate, together with other available documentation, sufficiently establishes ownership. Self-inspection certificates completed after June 10, 2010, are not satisfactory proof of ownership for cattle.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 16.57 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Any rules adopted pursuant to this chapter regarding horse ownership identification may not mandate that the owner of an unbranded horse show proof of horse brand inspection when moving the horse from Washington or bringing the horse back into Washington if no transfer of ownership has taken place.
     (2) Nothing in this section limits the ability of the department to adopt or enforce rules regarding:
     (a) Health certification for horses in any context;
     (b) Brand inspection requirements in any context for branded horses; or
     (c) Brand inspection requirements for all horses upon the transfer of ownership.