WORKING DRAFT

HOUSE BILL NO.

Out-of-state accustomed range permits.

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 in another 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 W.S. 11-20-223 is repealed and recreated as:

11-20-223 Out-of-state accustomed range permits.

(a) The board may issue an out-of-state accustomed range permit for the movement of livestock from an accustomed range or ranch in Wyoming to a noncontiguous accustomed range or ranch in another state provided the applicant and the accustomed range meet the requirements of this subsection and criteria established by rules of the board. The movement shall be for the purpose of pasturing, grazing, ranging or feeding the livestock 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 ranch lands headquartered within Wyoming or their authorized employees. As used in this section, an "out-of-state accustomed range or ranch" means a range or 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) No person shall move animals pursuant to a permit under this section until a brand inspector has inspected the animals and collected the fee imposed by W.S. 11-20-402. The owner of livestock moved under the permit shall attest in writing that it is intended that the livestock shall be returned to this state prior to a change in ownership. If a change of ownership occurs before the livestock are returned to this state, the owner shall notify the brand inspector who performed the inspection and shall pay all fees imposed under W.S. 11-6-210 and 11-20-401 with credit granted for any fee imposed by W.S. 11-20-402(a)(viii).

(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.

(END)