Out-of-state brand permits adopted

An owner may brand cattle with a brand recorded or registered in another state under a bill passed by the Legislature May 1.

LB435, introduced by North Platte Sen. Tom Hansen, allows out-of-state brand permits that authorize a one-time use of a brand registered with a state other than Nebraska to brand cattle for immediate exportation out of state.

The bill authorizes the branding of cattle with an out-of-state brand if:
• the cattle are purchased at a livestock auction market licensed under the Livestock Auction Market Act or another location approved by the Nebraska Brand Committee;
• the cattle will be exported immediately from Nebraska;
• the cattle are branded at the livestock auction market or other approved location; and
• an out-of-state brand permit has been obtained prior to branding the cattle.

Producers can obtain an out-of-state brand permit by submitting an application and corresponding fee to a brand inspector.

The bill passed on a 45-0 vote.