Increase of brand inspection fee considered

The Nebraska Brand Committee could increase its inspection fee cap under legislation heard by the Agriculture Committee Jan. 27. The brand committee inspects cattle and investigates missing and stolen cattle in Nebraska. The organization is funded solely through the collection of fees for those services.

LB85, introduced by Hyannis Sen. Al Davis, would permit the committee to charge as much as $1.25 per head for cattle brand inspections. Currently, the fee is capped at 75 cents per head.

Davis said the brand committee asked for a fee increase to compensate for declining cattle herds and sales. Although the committee sets and charges the fees, Davis said, the Legislature establishes the maximum amount that can be charged for inspection services. Davis, who said he has been the victim of cattle theft, added that the committee provides a valuable service for ranchers to keep records of their herds.

Shawn Harvey, executive director of the brand committee, testified in favor of the bill, saying the committee voted unanimously to raise the fee cap. Although salaries and costs of doing business have steadily risen, he said, the committee has kept the same inspection fee since 2007.

Harvey said the committee needs the fee increase to offer competitive salaries and update the technology used to process cattle.

Mark Blackford, a Nebraska cattle producer, agreed there is a need for a fee increase, saying the committee must update its computer equipment to help modernize its procedures.

“Things have not changed a lot since 1941,” he said, which is the year the Legislature created the brand committee.

Korby Gilbertson, a lobbyist for Tyson Foods, spoke in opposition to the bill, saying the proposed fee cap increase is too high.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.