BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1722
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Date of Hearing: March 26, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Susan Talamantes Eggman, Chair
AB 1722 (Bigelow) - As Introduced: February 13, 2014
SUBJECT : Cattle protection.
SUMMARY : This bill would prohibit any person who is convicted
of grand theft for stealing a horse, bovine animal, or specified
other animals (farm animal) from registering and owning a brand
for a period of five years following the date of conviction, as
specified. Specifically, this bill :
1. Prohibits any person who is convicted of grand theft for
stealing a farm animal from registering and owning a brand
for a period of five years following the date of
conviction, as specified.
2. Requires the Secretary (Secretary) of the California
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to terminate the
convicted felon's brand registration.
3. Requires a person convicted of the offense, as
specified, to submit to an inspection prior to any
movement, transportation, or change in ownership of farm
animals for five years from date of conviction.
4. Requires a person convicted of the offense, as
specified, to pay for the cost of inspection, including the
cost of time and mileage.
5. Creates a fine of $1,000 per animal inspected, for
violations.
6. Increases the amount the Secretary is authorized to
charge for inspections from $10 to $12.
EXISTING LAW requires any person who desires to use a brand in
this state to record the brand with the Bureau of Livestock
Identification. Provides for the suspension and forfeiture of
the right to use a brand under specified circumstances, and
makes it unlawful for any person to use an unauthorized brand.
Requires cattle to be inspected prior to being moved or
transported under certain circumstances, including whenever
AB 1722
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cattle are sold.
Authorizes the Secretary to impose a service charge not to
exceed $10 for each site at which an inspection is performed, to
be deposited in the CDFA Fund and continuously appropriated to
CDFA for certain purposes relating to cattle protection and
livestock.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill has been keyed fiscal by
Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS : According to the author, the value of live cattle
and the price per pound of beef increasing over 60% in the last
decade. This has contributed to increased instances of cattle
theft. While steps were taken last year towards holding cattle
thieves accountable for their crimes; supporters state that
stronger deterrents must be in place. In 2012, 1,317 head of
cattle were reported stolen or missing in California. According
to a Sacramento Bee news article, that is an increase of 22%
increase since before the recession.
The author states that cattle thieves must be accountable for
their crimes and stronger deterrents must be in place. This
bill will cause those people convicted of cattle theft to lose
their current brand and prohibit convicted individuals from
obtaining another brand for five years.
The state's brand registration and inspection program protects
cattle owners in California against loss of animals by theft,
straying or misappropriation. The branch's program consists of
registration of cattle; permanent brands inspection of cattle
for lawful possession prior to movement, sale or slaughter;
recording of the information obtained by such inspections; and,
assisting local law enforcement with investigations and
prosecutions involving cattle theft. The state's brand
registration and inspection program is financed, in its
entirety, through brand registration and inspection fees paid by
the cattle owners.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Cattlemen's Association (sponsor)
California Chamber Of Commerce
AB 1722
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California Farm Bureau Federation
California Poultry Federation
Western United Dairymen
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916)
319-2084