WORKING DRAFT

HOUSE BILL NO.

In-state movement permit.

Sponsored by: Joint Agriculture, Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to livestock movement; authorizing movement to accustomed range within the state pursuant to certain conditions; specifying conditions; providing definitions; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1. W.S. 11-20-212 is repealed and recreated as:

11-20-212. In-state range movement permits.

(a) The board may issue an in-state range movement permit for the movement of livestock from a location in Wyoming to a noncontiguous location in another county provided the applicant and the ranch meet the requirements of this subsection and criteria established by rules of the board. The movement shall be for the purpose of pasturing, grazing, feeding the livestock, veterinary care, commercial lease or use or other board approved movement that is considered necessary for normal ranch management operating conditions. The movement shall not be for the purpose of changing ownership. A permit under this section may be issued only to bona fide owners or Wyoming resident lessees of qualified ranch lands headquartered within Wyoming or their authorized employees. As used in this section, a "qualified ranch" means a ranch that has been used for a period of time or purpose specified by the board and which use can be verified by brand inspection records. A permit may be denied by the board after a finding that the person applying for a permit has violated a brand inspection law, including a provision of this section or a board rule or regulation.

(b) The fee imposed by W.S. 11-20-402 shall be collected at the time of the issuance of the permit under this section. If a change of ownership occurs before the livestock is returned to the county of origin pursuant to a permit issued under this section, the owner shall notify a brand inspector for an inspection of the livestock and shall pay all fees imposed under W.S. 11-6-210 and 11-20-401.

(c) Each permit issued under this section shall be good for the calendar year in which it is issued unless sooner revoked for cause by the board. Permits shall be nontransferable. A permit may be suspended or revoked by the board after a finding that the person to whom the permit is granted has violated a brand inspection law, including a provision of this section or a board rule or regulation. If there are written complaints from three (3) or more bona fide owners of livestock to the board concerning the use of the permit, the board shall investigate the complaints and take appropriate action.

(d) The board shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

Section 2. This act is effective July 1, 2002.

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