§ 54-170. Act, how cited.
Sections 54-170 to 54-1,127 shall be known and may be cited as the Livestock Brand Act.
§ 54-171. Definitions; where found.
For purposes of the Livestock Brand Act, the definitions found in sections 54-172 to
54-190 shall be used.
§ 54-172. Bill of sale, defined.
Bill of sale means a formal instrument for the conveyance or transfer of title to
livestock or other goods and chattels. The bill of sale shall state the buyer's name and
address, the date of transfer, the guarantee of title, the number of livestock
transferred, the sex of such livestock, the brand or brands, the location of the brand or
brands or a statement to the effect that the animal is unbranded, and the name and address
of the seller. The signature of the seller shall be attested by at least one witness or
acknowledged by a notary public or by some other officer authorized by state law to take
acknowledgments. A properly executed bill of sale means a bill of sale that is provided by
the seller and received by the buyer.
§ 54-173. Brand clearance, defined.
Brand clearance means the documentary evidence of ownership that is issued and signed by a
brand inspector and given to persons who have legally purchased cattle at a livestock
auction or sale where a brand inspection service is provided. The brand clearance shall
give the name and address of sale or auction where issued, the name of purchaser, the
number and sex of cattle, the brands, if any, and the location on the cattle.
§ 54-174. Brand inspection agency, defined.
Brand inspection agency means an agency of a state, or a duly organized livestock
association of a state, authorized by state law and registered with the Packers and
Stockyards Division of the United States Department of Agriculture to charge and collect,
at designated stockyards, packing plants, sales barns, or farm and ranch loading points, a
reasonable and nondiscriminatory fee for the inspection of brands, marks, and other
identifying characteristics of livestock originating in or shipped from such state for the
purpose of determining the ownership of such livestock.
§ 54-175. Brand inspection area, defined.
Brand inspection area means that portion of the State of Nebraska designated in section
54-1,109, where brand inspection is mandatory.
§ 54-176. Brand inspector, defined.
Brand inspector means a person employed by the Nebraska Brand Committee, or some other
brand inspection agency, inside or outside of the State of Nebraska, for the purpose of
identifying brands, marks, or other identifying characteristics of livestock to determine
the existence of such brands, marks, or identifying characteristics and from such
determinations attempt to establish correct and true ownership of such livestock, and
generally carry out the provisions and enforcement of all laws pertaining to brands, brand
inspection, and associated livestock laws.
§ 54-177. Carcass, defined.
Carcass means the body, or part thereof but not less than one-fourth of a body, of any
dead or slaughtered livestock.
§ 54-178. Cattle, defined.
Cattle means bovine cattle only and does not relate to or include any other kind of
animal.
§ 54-179. Certificate of inspection, defined.
Certificate of inspection means the official document issued and signed by a brand
inspector authorizing (1) movement of livestock from a point of origin within the brand
inspection area to a destination either inside or outside of the brand inspection area or
outside of this state, (2) slaughter of livestock as specified on such certificate, or (3)
the change of ownership of livestock as specified on such certificate. A certificate of
inspection shall designate, as needed, the name of the shipper, consignor, or seller of
the livestock, the purchaser or consignee of the livestock, the destination of the
livestock, the method of transportation, the vehicle license number or railroad car number
when available, the miles driven by an inspector to perform inspection, the amount of
inspection fees collected, the number and sex of the livestock to be moved or slaughtered,
the brands, if any, on the livestock, and the brand owner. A certificate of inspection
shall be construed and is intended to be documentary evidence of ownership on all
livestock covered by such document.
§ 54-180. Estray, defined.
Estray means any livestock found running at large upon public or private lands, either
fenced or unfenced, whose owner is unknown in the area where found, any such livestock
which is branded with a brand which is not on record in the office of the Nebraska Brand
Committee, or any livestock for which ownership has not been established as provided in
section 54-1,118.
§ 54-181. Freeze brand, defined.
Freeze brand means a mark or brand that is created on a live animal in a depigmentation
technique, whereby the pigment-producing cells in the skin of an animal are destroyed by
the application of intense cold to the skin area.
§ 54-182. Investigator, defined.
Investigator means an employee of the Nebraska Brand Committee who is also a deputy state
sheriff and has the duty, responsibility, and authority to enforce all state statutes
pertaining to brands, brand inspection, and associated livestock laws. An investigator is
also responsible for the investigation of all problems associated with brands, brand
inspection, and associated livestock enforcement problems.
§ 54-183. Livestock, defined.
Livestock means any domestic cattle, horses, mules, donkeys, sheep, or swine.
§ 54-184. Mark, defined.
A mark means a physical identification that includes, but is not limited to, visible
characteristics on an animal such as a natural, accidental, or manmade blemish that sets
apart a particular animal from all others. Such marks include, but are not limited to,
hair coloration, scars, brands, earmarks, or tattoos.
§ 54-185. Market agency, defined.
Market agency means any person engaged in the business of (1) buying or selling in
commerce livestock on a commission basis or (2) furnishing stockyard services, meaning
services or facilities furnished at a stockyard in connection with the receiving, buying,
or selling on a commission basis or otherwise, marketing, feeding, watering, holding,
delivering, shipping, weighing, or handling, in commerce, of livestock.
§ 54-186. Open market, defined.
Open market means a sales barn, market agency, stockyard, packing plant, or terminal
market located outside of the brand inspection area or located outside of this state where
brand inspection is maintained either by employees of the Nebraska Brand Committee or by
some other state under a reciprocal agreement as allowed under the federal Packers and
Stockyards Act, 1921, 7 U.S.C. 181 et seq., as amended.
§ 54-187. Person, defined.
Person means any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation,
association, firm, or agents or servants of an individual or business entity.
§ 54-188. Registered feedlot, defined.
Registered feedlot means a feedlot registered under section 54-1,120.
§ 54-189. Satisfactory evidence of ownership, defined.
Satisfactory evidence of ownership consists of the brands, tattoos, or marks on the
livestock; point of origin of livestock; the physical description of the livestock; the
documentary evidence, such as bills of sale, brand clearance, certificates of inspection,
breed registration certificates, animal health or testing certificates, recorded brand
certificates, purchase sheets, scale tickets, disclaimers of interest, affidavits, court
orders, security agreements, powers of attorney, canceled checks, bills of lading, or
tags; and such other facts, statements, or circumstances that taken in whole or in part
cause an inspector to believe that proof of ownership is established.
§ 54-190. Tattoo, defined.
Tattoo means the conspicuous curvilinear marks or patterns brought about by pricking a
pigment coloration into the skin of an animal by using a needle or similar device or the
act of marking, coloring, or pricking into the skin of an animal coloring matter or ink
which forms an indelible mark or figure.
§ 54-191. Nebraska Brand Committee; created; members; terms; vacancy; bond;
expenses; purpose.
The Nebraska Brand Committee is hereby created. The brand committee shall consist of the
Secretary of State, who shall be chairperson, and four members appointed by the Governor.
Three appointed members shall be active cattlepersons and one appointed member shall be an
active cattle feeder. The appointed members shall be owners of cattle within the brand
inspection area, shall reside within the brand inspection area, shall be owners of
Nebraska-recorded brands, and shall be persons whose principal business and occupation is
the raising or feeding of cattle within the brand inspection area. The terms of the
members shall be four-year, staggered terms. At the expiration of the term of an appointed
member, the Governor shall appoint a successor. Members serving on August 28, 1999, shall
be considered appointed to serve the remainder of the term to which they were appointed.
If there is a vacancy on the brand committee, the Governor shall fill such vacancy by
appointing a member to serve during the unexpired term of the member whose office has
become vacant. The action of a majority of the members shall be deemed the action of the
brand committee. No appointed member shall hold any elective or appointive state or
federal office while serving as a member of the brand committee. Each appointed member and
each brand committee employee who collects or who is the custodian of any funds shall be
covered by the blanket bond of the State of Nebraska under section 11-201. The appointed
members of the brand committee shall be paid their actual and necessary traveling expenses
in attending meetings of the brand committee or in performing any other duties that are
prescribed in the Livestock Brand Act or section 54-415, as provided for in sections
81-1174 to 81-1177.
The purpose of the Nebraska Brand Committee is to protect Nebraska brand and livestock
owners from the theft of livestock through established brand recording, brand inspection,
and livestock theft investigation.
§ 54-192. Nebraska Brand Committee; employees; director; duties; brand
recorder; grievance procedure.
(1) The Nebraska Brand Committee shall employ such employees as may be necessary to
properly carry out the Livestock Brand Act and section 54-415, fix the salaries of such
employees, and make such expenditures as are necessary to properly carry out such act and
section. Employees of the brand committee shall receive mileage computed at the rate
provided in section 81-1176. The brand committee shall select and designate a location or
locations where the brand committee shall keep and maintain an office and where records of
the brand inspection and investigation proceedings, transactions, communications, brand
registrations, and official acts shall be kept.
(2) The brand committee shall employ a director as the executive officer of the brand
committee, and the director shall also be the chief brand inspector, the chief
investigator, and, for administrative purposes, the brand committee head. The director
shall keep a record of all proceedings, transactions, communications, and official acts of
the brand committee, shall be custodian of all records of the brand committee, and shall
perform such other duties as may be required by the brand committee. The director shall
call a meeting at the direction of the Secretary of State or upon the written request of
two or more members of the brand committee. The director shall have supervisory authority
to direct and control all full-time and part-time employees of the brand committee. This
authority allows the director to hire employees as are needed on an interim basis subject
to approval or confirmation by the brand committee for regular employment. The director
may place employees on probation and may discharge an employee. In the absence of the
director, by reason of illness, vacation, or official business away from the department's
headquarters, the assistant director shall have similar authority as outlined in this
section for the director.
(3) The brand committee shall employ a brand recorder who shall be responsible for the
processing of all applications for new livestock brands, the transfer of ownership of
existing livestock brands, the maintenance of accurate and permanent records relating to
livestock brands, and such other duties as may be required by the brand committee.
(4) If any employee of the brand committee after having been disciplined, placed on
probation, or having had his or her services terminated desires to have a hearing before
the entire brand committee, such a hearing shall be granted as soon as is practicable and
convenient for all persons concerned. The request for such a hearing shall be made in
writing by the employee alleging the grievance and shall be directed to the director.
After hearing all testimony surrounding the grievance of such employee, the brand
committee, at its discretion, may approve, rescind, nullify, or amend all actions as
previously taken by the director.
§ 54-193. Nebraska Brand Committee; brand publication.
The Nebraska Brand Committee shall periodically have published in book form, electronic medium, or such other method prescribed by the committee a list of all brands recorded with the brand committee at the time of such publication. Such publication may be supplemented from time to time. The publication shall contain a facsimile of all recorded brands, together with the owner's name and post office address, and shall be arranged in convenient form for reference. The brand committee shall send, without any charge, the publication as required by section 51-413 to the Nebraska Publications Clearinghouse and shall provide the publication to each inspector of record and to the county sheriff of each county in the State of Nebraska, which shall be kept as a matter of public
record. The publication may be sold to the general public for a price equal to or less than the actual cost of production.
§ 54-194. Documents; signature and seal requirements.
As chairperson of the Nebraska Brand Committee, the Secretary of State, or his of her
designee, shall have the authority to sign all certificates and other documents that may
by law require certification by signature. Such documents shall include, but not be
limited to, new brand certificates, brand transfer certificates, duplicate brand
certificates, and brand renewal receipts. A facsimile of the brand committee seal and the
signature of the brand recorder shall also be placed on all brand certificates.
§ 54-195. Promotional materials and assessments.
(1) The Nebraska Brand Committee may authorize and direct its employees to disseminate or
otherwise distribute various materials promoting the cattle industry.
(2) The brand committee may contract to collect assessments made by any public,
quasi-public, or private agency or organization on the sale of cattle, beef, and beef
products in Nebraska by producers and importers of such cattle, beef, and beef products.
The brand committee may charge such agency or organization for collection of the
assessments. The charge for collection of assessments shall be used to cover
administrative costs of the brand committee, but such charge shall not exceed five percent
of the assessments collected.
§ 54-196. Rules and regulations.
The Nebraska Brand Committee may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out
the Livestock Brand Act and section 54-415.
§ 54-197. Nebraska Brand Inspection and Theft Prevention Fund; created; use;
investment.
The Nebraska Brand Inspection and Theft Prevention Fund is created. Fees and money
collected pursuant to the Livestock Brand Act not otherwise provided for in the act shall
be remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the fund. The fund shall be used by the
Nebraska Brand Committee in the administration and enforcement of the act and section
54-415. All expenses and salaries provided for under such act or incurred by reason
thereof shall be paid out of the fund. Any money in the fund available for investment
shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital
Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.
§ 54-198. Recorded livestock brand; requirements; in-herd identification;
prohibited act.
(1) Any person having livestock may record a brand, which he or she has the exclusive right to use in this state, and it is unlawful to use any brand for branding any livestock unless the person using such brand has recorded that brand with the Nebraska Brand Committee. A brand is a mark consisting of symbols, characters, numerals, or a combination of such intended as a visual means of identification when applied to the hide of an animal or another method of livestock identification approved by rule and regulation of the brand committee, including an electronic device used for livestock identification. Only a hot iron or freeze brand or other method approved by the brand committee
shall be used to brand a live animal.
(2) A hot iron brand or freeze brand may be used for in-herd identification purposes such as for year or production records. With respect to hot iron brands used for in-herd identification, the numerals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 in singular or triangular position are reserved on both the right and left shoulder of all cattle, except that such shoulder location for a single- number hot iron brand may be used for year branding for in-herd identification purposes, and an alphabetical letter may be substituted for one of the numerals used in a triangular configuration for in-herd identification purposes. Hot iron brands used for in-herd identification shall be used in conjunction with the recorded hot iron brand and shall be on the same side of the animal as the recorded hot iron brand. Freeze branding for in-herd identification may be applied in any location and any configuration with any combination of numerals or alphabetical letters.
(3) It shall be unlawful to knowingly maintain a herd containing one or more animals which the possessor has branded, or caused to be branded, in violation of this section or any other provision of the Livestock Brand Act.
§ 54-199. Livestock brand; application; fee; requirements; issuance.
(1) To record a brand, a person shall forward to the Nebraska Brand Committee a facsimile or description of the brand desired to be recorded, a written application, and a recording fee established by the brand committee. Such recording fee may vary according to the number of locations and methods of brand requested but shall not be more than one hundred dollars per application.
(2) For recording of visual brands, upon receipt of a facsimile of the brand, an application, and the required fee, the brand committee shall determine compliance with the following requirements:
(a) The brand shall be an identification mark that is applied to the hide of a live animal by hot iron branding or by either hot iron branding or freeze
branding. The brand shall be on either side of the animal in any one of three locations, the shoulder, ribs, or hip, except that after September 6, 1991, no new brand shall be recorded for the ribs of the animal on either side. All brands recorded for the ribs on such date shall remain valid and renewable and shall be transferable until such recorded brand expires;
(b) The brand is not recorded under the name of any other person and does not conflict with or closely resemble a prior recorded brand;
(c) The brand application specifies the left or right side of the animal and the location on that side of the animal where the brand is to be placed;
(d) The brand is not recorded as a trade name nor as the name of any profit or nonprofit corporation, unless such trade name or corporation is of record, in current good standing, with the Secretary of State; and
(e) The brand is, in the judgment of the brand committee, legible, adequate, and of such a nature that the brand when applied can be properly read and identified by employees of the brand committee.
(3) All visual brands shall be recorded as a hot iron brand only unless a co- recording as a freeze brand or other approved method of branding is requested by the applicant. The brand committee shall approve co-recording a brand as a freeze brand unless the brand would not be distinguishable from in-herd identification applied by freeze branding.
(4) The brand committee may, by rule and regulation, provide for the recording and use of brands by electronic device or other nonvisual method of livestock identification. Any such method of livestock identification shall be approved as a brand only if it functions as a means of identifying ownership of livestock so branded that is equal to, or superior to, visual methods of livestock branding. Before approving any nonvisual method of branding, the brand committee shall consider the degree to which such method may be susceptible to error, failure, or fraudulent alteration. Any rule or regulation shall be adopted only after public hearing conducted in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(5) If the facsimile, the description, or the application does not comply with the requirements of this section, the brand committee shall not record such brand as requested but shall return the recording fee to the forwarding person. The power of examination and rejection is vested in the brand committee, and if the brand committee determines that the application for a visual brand falls within the category set out in subdivision (2)(e) of this section, it shall decide whether or not a recorded brand shall be issued. The brand committee shall make such examination as promptly as possible. If the brand is recorded, the ownership vests from the date of filing of the application.
§ 54-1,100. Recorded brand; transfer; fee; effect.
A recorded brand is the property of the person causing such record to be made and is subject to sale, assignment, transfer, devise, and descent as personal property. Instruments of writing evidencing the sale, assignment, or transfer of a recorded brand shall be recorded by the Nebraska Brand Committee. The fee for recording such an instrument shall be established by the brand committee and shall not be more than thirty-five dollars. Such instruments shall give notice to all third persons of the matter recorded in the instruments and shall be acknowledged by a notary public or any other officer qualified under law to administer oaths.
§ 54-1,101. Recorded brand; owner; copies of record.
The owner of a recorded brand is entitled to one certified copy of the record of such
brand from the Nebraska Brand Committee without charge. Additional certified copies of the
record may be obtained by anyone upon the payment of one dollar for each copy. Copies of
any other document of the brand committee may be requested, and a fee of one dollar shall
be collected for each page copied. Only personnel authorized by the brand committee shall
make copies and collect such fees. The party requesting the copies is responsible for
payment of the fee and shall reimburse the brand committee for the research time necessary
to furnish the requested documents at a rate of not less than twelve nor more than twenty
dollars per hour of research time. The rate shall be reviewed and set annually by the
brand committee.
§ 54-1,102. Recorded brand; use; expiration date; renewal fee; expired brand;
reinstated.
(1) A recorded brand may be applied by its owner until its expiration date.
(2) On and after January 1, 1994, the expiration date of a recorded brand is the last day of the calendar quarter of the renewal year as designated by the Nebraska Brand Committee in the records of the brand committee.
(3) The brand committee shall notify every owner of a recorded brand of its expiration date at least sixty days prior to the expiration date, and the owner of the recorded brand shall pay a renewal fee established by the brand committee which shall not be more than fifty dollars and furnish such other information as may be required by the brand committee. The renewal fee is due
and payable on or before the expiration date and renews a recorded brand for a period of four years regardless of the number of locations on one side of an animal on which the brand is recorded. If any owner fails, refuses, or neglects to pay the renewal fee by the expiration date, the brand shall expire and be forfeited.
(4) The brand committee has the authority to hold an expired brand for one year following the date of expiration. An expired brand may be reinstated by the same owner during such one-year period upon return of a brand application form and payment of the recording fee for such brand established by the brand committee under section 54-199 plus a penalty of five dollars for each month or part of a month which has passed since the date of expiration. A properly reinstated brand may be transferred to another person during such one-year period upon completion of a transfer form, with a notarized bill of sale signed by the prior owner attached to such transfer form.
§ 54-1,103. Reserved brands; use.
(1) Cattle brands consisting of alphabetical letters A through Z, and numbers 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 on the left or right jaw are reserved for assignment by the brand
recorder, as designated by the Nebraska Brand Committee. The brand recorder shall not
assign such brands to any person in the State of Nebraska unless authorized by the brand
committee, and it shall be unlawful for any person to use such brands except as provided
in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Every person when spaying heifers, upon request of the owner thereof, shall brand such
heifers with the alphabetical letter O on the left jaw and furnish the owner with a
certificate that all heifers so branded have been properly spayed by a licensed
veterinarian. Permission may be granted by the brand committee to state and federal animal
disease control agencies to require the use of the letters F, V, B, S, and T and an
open-end spade on either the right or left jaw of cattle in a manner consistent with
animal disease control laws.
§ 54-1,104. Brand assigned to committee.
There is a recorded brand consisting of the alphabetical letter N on the entire right and
left sides which is assigned to the Nebraska Brand Committee to be used only by authorized
personnel of the brand committee to permanently identify livestock which are suspected of
having been stolen and may be used as evidence in any court proceeding. It shall in no way
signify that the brand committee (1) is the owner of livestock so branded or (2) claims
ownership in any livestock carrying such brand. It shall only be construed and intended
that livestock so branded are evidence or portions of evidence seized relative to an
alleged theft of livestock.
§ 54-1,105. Brands; distinction requirements.
(1) Cattle branded with a Nebraska-recorded visual brand shall be branded so that the recorded
brand of the owner shows distinctly. Sheep may be marked distinctly with such mark or
device as may be sufficient to distinguish the same readily should they become intermixed
with other flocks of sheep.
(2) If the owners of recorded brands which conflict with or closely resemble each other
maintain their herds in close proximity to each other, the brand committee has the
authority to decide, after hearing as to which at least ten days' written notice has been
given, any dispute arising therefrom and to direct such change or changes in the position
or positions where such recorded brand or brands are to be placed as will remove any
confusion that might result from such conflict or close resemblance.
§ 54-1,106. Grazing livestock; requirements.
A person who brings livestock into any county of this state for grazing purposes which are
already branded shall provide the Nebraska Brand Committee with a statement of the brands
of such livestock. Failure to comply with this section renders the violating person liable
for all damages resulting from such failure.
§ 54-1,107. Recorded brand; evidentiary effect.
A recorded brand is prima facie evidence of ownership of livestock and is admissible into
evidence in any court in this state if the brand meets the requirements of and is recorded
as provided in section 54-199. Other documentary evidence such as bills of sale or
certificates of brand clearance transferring title from an owner to another party may also
be introduced as evidence of livestock ownership in any court in this state. The recording
of instruments of writing evidencing the sale, assignment, or transfer of a recorded brand
gives notice to all third persons of the matter recorded, and certified copies are
admissible in evidence without further foundation. In all suits at law or in equity, in
any criminal proceedings, or when determining the ownership of estrays wherein the title
to livestock is an issue, the certified copy of the record of a recorded brand or
instrument of writing evidencing sale, assignment, or transfer of a recorded brand is
prima facie evidence of the ownership of such livestock by the person possessing such
livestock.
§ 54-1,108. Brand inspections; when; fees; reinspection; when.
(1) All brand inspections provided for in the Livestock Brand Act or section 54-415 shall be from sunrise to sundown or during such other hours and under such conditions as the Nebraska Brand Committee determines.
(2) A fee, established by the Nebraska Brand Committee, of not more than sixty-five cents per head shall be charged for all cattle inspected in accordance with the Livestock Brand Act or section 54-415 or inspected within the brand inspection area by court order or at the request of any bank, credit agency, or lending institution with a legal or financial interest in such cattle. Such fee may vary to encourage inspection to be performed at times and locations that reduce the cost of performing the inspection but shall otherwise
be uniform. The inspection fee for court-ordered inspections shall be paid from the proceeds of the sale of such cattle if ordered by the court or by either party as the court directs. For other inspections, the person requesting the inspection of such cattle is responsible for the inspection fee. If estray cattle are identified as a result of the inspection, such cattle shall be processed in the manner provided by section 54-415.
(3) Any person who has reason to believe that cattle were shipped erroneously due to an inspection error during a brand inspection may request a reinspection. The person making such request shall be responsible for the expenses incurred as a result of the reinspection unless the results of the reinspection substantiate the claim of inspection error, in which case the brand committee shall be responsible for the reinspection expenses.
§ 54-1,109. Brand inspection area; designation.
The brand inspection area of Nebraska consists of the following land area of counties and
parts thereof: Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Box Butte, Boyd, Brown, Buffalo, Chase, Cherry,
Cheyenne, Custer, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dundy, Franklin, Frontier, part of the south half
of section 1, township 3 north, range 21, on railroad right-of-way in the west part of
Oxford Town called Burlington addition in Furnas, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Grant,
Greeley, all of lots 1, 7, and 8 in block 48 in original town of Grand Island, and all of
the southeast quarter lying south of the Union Pacific Railroad Company's right-of- way in
section 24, township 11 north, range 10, in Hall, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Hooker,
Howard, Kearney, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, all of Knox except Eastern, Dolphin, Dowling,
Columbia, Morton, Peoria, Addison, Herrick, Frankfort, and Lincoln townships, Lincoln,
Logan, Loup, McPherson, Morrill, Perkins, Phelps, Red Willow, Rock, Scotts Bluff,
Sheridan, Sherman, Sioux, Thomas, Valley, the existing livestock auction markets in Blue
Hill, all of lots 1 to 6, and lots 7 and 8, except twenty-two feet of the east side of lot
8, all in block 6, original town of Blue Hill, and Red Cloud, part of lot A, Roats
subdivision to Red Cloud, lots 1 and 2 and the south one-half of block 32 in original town
of Red Cloud, and all of annex lot 21, Red Cloud, in Webster, and all of Wheeler.
§ 54-1,110. Brand inspection area; brand inspection requirements.
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, no person shall move, in any manner, cattle from a point within the brand inspection area to a point outside the brand inspection area unless such cattle first have a brand inspection by the Nebraska Brand Committee and a certificate of inspection is issued. A copy of such certificate shall accompany the cattle and shall be retained by all persons moving such cattle as a permanent record.
(2) Cattle in a registered feedlot registered under sections 54-1,120 to 54- 1,122 or a registered dairy registered under sections 54-1,122.01 and 54- 1,122.02 are not subject to the brand inspection of subsection (1) of this section. Possession by the shipper or trucker of a shipping certificate from
the registered feedlot or registered dairy constitutes compliance if the cattle being shipped are as represented on such shipping certificate.
(3) If the line designating the brand inspection area divides a farm or ranch or lies between noncontiguous parcels of land which are owned or operated by the same cattle owner or owners, a permit may be issued, at the discretion of the Nebraska Brand Committee, to the owner or owners of cattle on such farm, ranch, or parcels of land to move the cattle in and out of the brand inspection area without inspection. If the line designating the brand inspection area lies between a farm or ranch and nearby veterinary medical facilities, a permit may be issued, at the discretion of the brand committee, to the owner or owners of cattle on such farm or ranch to move the cattle in and out of the brand inspection area without inspection to obtain care from the veterinary medical facilities. The brand committee shall issue initial permits only after receiving an application which includes an application fee established by the brand committee which shall not be more than fifteen dollars. The brand committee shall mail all current permitholders an annual renewal notice, for January 1 renewal, which requires a renewal fee established by the brand committee which shall not be more than fifteen dollars. If the permit conditions still exist, the cattle owner or owners may renew the permit.
(4) No person shall sell any cattle knowing that the cattle are to be moved, in any manner, in violation of this section. Proof of shipment or removal of the cattle from the brand inspection area by the buyer or his or her agent is prima facie proof of knowledge that sale was had for removal from the brand inspection area.
(5) In cases of prosecution for violation of this section, venue may be established in the county of origin or any other county through which the cattle may pass in leaving the brand inspection area.
§ 54-1,111. Brand inspection area; sale or trade of cattle; requirements.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no person shall sell or trade
any cattle located within the brand inspection area, nor shall any person buy or purchase
any such cattle unless the cattle have been inspected for brands and ownership and a
certificate of inspection or brand clearance has been issued by the Nebraska Brand
Committee. Any person selling such cattle shall present to the brand inspector a properly
executed bill of sale, brand clearance, or other satisfactory evidence of ownership which
shall be filed with the original certificate of inspection in the records of the brand
committee. Any time a brand inspection is required by law, a brand investigator or brand
inspector may transfer evidence of ownership of such cattle from a seller to a buyer by
issuing a certificate of inspection.
(2) A brand inspection is not required:
(a) For cattle of a registered feedlot registered under sections 54-1,120 to 54-1,122
shipped for direct slaughter or sale on any terminal market;
(b) For cattle of a registered dairy registered under sections 54-1,122.01 and 54-1,122.02
shipped for direct slaughter or sale on any terminal market;
(c) For cattle that are transferred to a family corporation when all the shares of capital
stock of the corporation are owned by the husband, wife, children, or grandchildren of the
transferor and there is no consideration for the transfer other than the issuance of stock
of the corporation to such family members;
(d) When the change of ownership of cattle is a change in form only and the surviving
interests are in the exact proportion as the original interests of ownership. When there
is a change of ownership described in subdivision (2)(c) or (d) of this section, an
affidavit, on a form prescribed by the Nebraska Brand Committee, signed by the transferor
and stating the nature of the transfer and the number of cattle involved and the brands
presently on the cattle, shall be filed with the brand committee;
(e) For cattle sold or purchased for educational or exhibition purposes or other
recognized youth activities if a properly executed bill of sale is exchanged and presented
upon demand. Educational or exhibition purpose means cattle sold or purchased for the
purpose of being fed, bred, managed, or tended in a program designed to demonstrate or
instruct in the use of various feed rations, the selection of individuals of certain
physical conformation or breeds, the measurement and recording of rate of gain in weight
or fat content of meat or milk produced, or the preparation of cattle for the purpose of
exhibition or for judging as to quality and conformation;
(f) For calves under the age of thirty days sold or purchased at private treaty if a bill
of sale is exchanged and presented upon demand; and
(g) For purebred cattle raised by the seller and individually registered with an organized
breed association if a properly executed bill of sale is exchanged and presented upon
demand.
§ 54-1,112. Brand inspection area; slaughter and hide records.
(1) Any person located within the brand inspection area who slaughters or has cattle
slaughtered for sale or distribution shall keep, in a book for that purpose, a true and
faithful record of all cattle purchased and slaughtered. Such record shall also contain a
description of the marks, brands, age, weight, and color of all cattle slaughtered. Such
record shall contain the date when the cattle were slaughtered and a notation which sets
forth by whom the cattle were raised or from whom purchased.
(2) All persons who purchase hides shall keep a record of all hides of cattle purchased by
them, which record shall state the name or names of the person or persons from whom
purchased, their place of residence, the date of purchase, and all marks and brands on the
hide, and the record shall at all times be open for inspection by any peace officer.
§ 54-1,113. Sale or trade of carcass; requirements.
(1)(a) Inside of the brand inspection area, no person shall sell or trade or offer for
sale or trade the carcass of a beef or veal, or any portion thereof, including the hide of
such carcass, unless a certificate of inspection is secured from a brand inspector. Such
person shall exhibit the certificate of inspection upon the demand of any person.
(b) Outside of the brand inspection area, no person shall sell or offer for sale, except
as a butcher bonded under section 54-1,114, the carcass of a beef or veal, or any portion
thereof, without first exhibiting the intact hide of the same and exposing the brand upon
the hide, if any, to the purchaser. A person selling or offering for sale any such carcass
of beef or veal shall preserve the hide of the same for a period of fifteen days unless a
certificate of inspection is secured from a brand inspector, and such person shall exhibit
the certificate of inspection upon the demand of any person.
(2) No person shall kill for his, her, or its own use and consumption any cattle for beef or veal without preserving the hide of such animal intact with a complete unskinned tail attached thereto for a period of not less than fifteen days unless a certificate of inspection is secured from a brand inspector, and such hide shall be presented for inspection upon demand of any person.
§ 54-1,114. Slaughter of cattle; brand inspection requirements.
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, no butcher, packer, or
vendor engaged in the slaughter of cattle within the brand inspection area shall kill or
otherwise dispose of any cattle until a brand inspection is performed by the Nebraska
Brand Committee on the premises where such slaughter is to take place and until a
certificate of inspection from the brand committee is filed and is made a part of such
operator's permanent records. All such certificates of inspection shall, upon demand, be
displayed to any peace officer or to the brand committee at any time.
(2) If cattle requiring inspection under this section are to be slaughtered and are
purchased by such butcher, packer, or vendor at a regularly brand- inspected sales barn
and are destined for direct slaughter upon reaching their destination, the brand inspector
at such sales barn shall be advised that such cattle are destined for direct slaughter.
The brand inspector shall then issue a certificate of inspection for the cattle, such
certificate to indicate that the cattle are to go to direct slaughter and that the cattle
are not to be retained by such butcher, packer, or vendor for longer than ninety-six hours
prior to slaughter. Cattle inspected at the point of origin by a brand inspector shall not
require an additional brand inspection upon reaching a destination within the state if the
certificate of inspection designates that the cattle are to go directly for slaughter and
not to be retained by such butcher, packer, or vendor longer than ninety-six hours prior
to slaughter.
(3) If cattle required to be inspected under this section are offered for slaughter and
satisfactory evidence of ownership has not been provided, the butcher, packer, or vendor
may, with the approval of the brand inspector, slaughter the cattle and hold the meat
until such time as satisfactory evidence of ownership is provided to the brand committee.
The brand inspector shall provide the butcher, packer, or vendor with an official notice
advising the operator not to release the meat until authorized by the brand committee. The
brand committee may provide for a cash bond to be posted with the director of the brand
committee so that the meat may be released prior to the establishment of satisfactory
evidence of ownership. The amount of the bond shall be set at the approximate value of the
cattle. When satisfactory evidence of ownership has been provided by the person offering
the cattle for slaughter, the director shall authorize the release of the meat or the
return of the bond.
§ 54-1,115. Livestock transportation permit; requirements.
(1)(a) Any person, other than the owner or the owner's employee, using a motor vehicle or
trailer to transport livestock or carcasses over any land within the brand inspection area
not owned or rented by such person or who is so transporting such livestock upon a
highway, public street, or thoroughfare within the brand inspection area shall have in his
or her possession a livestock transportation permit, certificate of inspection, or
shipping certificate from a registered feedlot or registered dairy, authorizing such
movement as to each head of livestock transported by such vehicle.
(b) Any such person outside the brand inspection area transporting livestock shall have in
his or her possession a livestock transportation permit or other proof of ownership
acceptable to the peace officer, the number of livestock, and the destination of the
livestock, which permit shall be delivered to the public market or anyone to whom the
livestock are being delivered.
(2) A livestock transportation permit shall be in writing and shall state the name of
the owner of the livestock, the owner's post office address, the place from which the
livestock are being moved, including the name of the ranch, if any, the destination, the
name and address of the carrier, the license number and make of motor vehicle to which
consigned, together with the number of livestock and a description thereof including kind,
sex, breed, color, and marks, if any, and in the case of livestock shipments originating
within the brand inspection area, the brands, if there are any. The permit shall be signed
by the owner of the livestock or the owner's authorized agent. Livestock transportation
permits shall be made in quadruplicate: One to be delivered to the motor carrier or motor
carrier's agent, one to be retained by the owner of the livestock to be shipped, one to be
delivered to the agent of the yard company receiving such livestock, and one to be
delivered to the consignee at destination upon delivery of the consignment. Such permits
shall be on forms approved by the Nebraska Brand Committee.
(3) Any peace officer, based upon probable cause to question the ownership of the
livestock being transported, may stop a motor vehicle or motor vehicle and trailer and
request exhibition of any permit or certificate required by this section.
§ 54-1,116. Satisfactory evidence of ownership.
All livestock sold or otherwise disposed of shall be accompanied by a properly executed
bill of sale in writing or, for cattle, a certificate of inspection. All owners of or
persons possessing livestock have a duty to exhibit, upon request of any person, the bill
of sale or other satisfactory evidence of ownership of the livestock.
§ 54-1,117. Brand inspection area; intermingling of livestock; effect.
No consignment of livestock within, entering into, or passing through the brand inspection
area, after having been inspected by a brand inspector, shall be permitted to intermingle
with any other livestock located within the brand inspection area. If, at any time after
brand inspection has been performed or a certificate of inspection has been issued on any
shipment of livestock, the livestock become intermingled with other livestock located
within the brand inspection area, the original brand inspection is void and before further
movement of the livestock out of the brand inspection area may be made, reinspection for
identification of brands is required. A brand inspector may require reinspection if he or
she has reason to believe a consignment of livestock has become intermingled.
§ 54-1,118. Livestock; questions of ownership; procedure.
If any livestock inspected under the Livestock Brand Act or section 54-415 is unbranded or
bears a brand or brands in addition to, or other than, the recorded brand or brands of the
shipper or seller, then the shipper or seller may be required to establish his or her
ownership of such livestock by exhibiting to the Nebraska Brand Committee a bill of sale
to such livestock or by other satisfactory evidence of ownership. If ownership of the
livestock is not established, the livestock may be sold, and the selling agent who sells
such livestock shall hold the proceeds of the sale. If any shipper or seller who has
offered such livestock for sale refuses to accept the bids offered, ownership must be
established, or a cash bond posted with the selling agent in an amount equal to the
approximate value of the livestock and payable to the brand committee, before such
livestock may be removed from the premises. When ownership has been established the cash
bond shall be returned to the person who or which posted it.
The shipper or seller of the livestock is required to establish ownership of such livestock within sixty days after its sale. If such shipper or seller establishes ownership of such livestock, the Nebraska Brand Committee shall order the selling agent of such livestock to pay the proceeds of sale to the shipper or seller. If such shipper or seller fails to establish ownership within the sixty days, such livestock shall be considered an estray and the Nebraska Brand Committee shall order the selling agent to pay the proceeds of sale over to the brand committee. All funds that the brand committee receives from the sale of any estray shall be placed in a separate custodial fund known as the estray fund. The brand committee shall determine the ownership of estrays that originate within the brand inspection area. Such funds shall be disposed of in the manner provided in section 54-415.
§ 54-1,119. Open market; designation; brand inspection requirements.
(1) Any livestock market, whether within or outside of the state, or any meat packing
plant which maintains brand inspection under the supervision of the Nebraska Brand
Committee and under such rules and regulations as are specified by the United States
Department of Agriculture, may be designated by the brand committee as an open market.
(2) When cattle originating from within the brand inspection area are consigned for
sale to any commission company at any open market designated as such by the Nebraska Brand
Committee where brand inspection is maintained, no brand inspection is required at the
point of origin but is required at the point of destination unless the point of origin is
a registered feedlot or registered dairy. If cattle are consigned to a commission company
at an open market, the carrier transporting the cattle shall not allow the owner, shipper,
or party in charge to change the billing to any point other than the commission company at
the open market designated on the original billing, unless the carrier secures from the
brand committee a certificate of inspection on the cattle so consigned. Any cattle
originating in a registered feedlot or registered dairy consigned to a commission company
at any terminal market destined for direct slaughter may be shipped in accordance with
rules and regulations governing registered feedlots or registered dairies.
(3) Until the cattle are inspected for brands on the premises by the Nebraska Brand
Committee, no person shall sell or cause to be sold or offer for sale (a) any cattle at a
livestock auction market located within the brand inspection area or at a farm or ranch
sale located within the brand inspection area or (b) any cattle originating within the
brand inspection area consigned to an open market.
§ 54-1,120. Registered feedlot; application; requirements; fee; inspections;
records.
(1) Any person who operates a cattle feeding operation located within the brand inspection
area may make application to the Nebraska Brand Committee for registration as a registered
feedlot. The application form shall be prescribed by the brand committee and shall be made
available by the director of the brand committee for this purpose upon written request. If
the applicant is an individual, the application shall include the applicant's social
security number. After the brand committee has received a properly completed application,
an agent of the brand committee shall within thirty days make an investigation to
determine if the following requirements are satisfied:
(a) The operator's feedlot must be permanently fenced; and
(b) The operator must commonly practice feeding cattle to finish for slaughter.
If the application is satisfactory, and upon payment of a registration fee by the
applicant, the brand committee shall issue a registration number and registration
certificate valid for one year unless rescinded for cause. If the registration is
rescinded for cause, any registration fee shall be forfeited by the applicant. The fees
for registered feedlots shall be not less than one hundred dollars nor more than six
hundred fifty dollars for each such registered feedlot having one thousand head or less
capacity and an equal amount for each additional one thousand head capacity, or part
thereof, of such registered feedlot. The brand committee shall set the fee per one
thousand head capacity so as to correspond with the inspection fee provided under section
54-1,108. The registration fee shall be paid on an annual basis.
(2) The brand committee may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for the
operation of registered feedlots to assure that brand laws are complied with, that
registered feedlot shipping certificates are available, and that proper records are
maintained. Violation of sections 54-1,120 to 54-1,122 subjects the operator to revocation
or suspension of the feedlot registration issued. Sections 54-1,120 to 54-1,122 shall not
be construed as prohibiting the operation of nonregistered feedlots.
(3) Registered feedlots are subject to inspection at any reasonable time at the
discretion of the brand committee and its authorized agents, and the operator shall show
cattle purchase records or certificates of inspection to cover all cattle in his or her
feedlot. Cattle having originated from such registered feedlots may from time to time, at
the discretion of the committee, be subject to a spot-check inspection and audit at
destination to enable the brand committee to assure satisfactory compliance with the brand
laws by the registered feedlot operator.
(4) The operator of a registered feedlot shall keep cattle inventory records. A form
for such purpose shall be prescribed by the brand committee. The brand committee and its
employees may from time to time make spot checks and audits of the registered feedlots and
the records of cattle on feed in such feedlots.
(5) The brand committee may rescind the registration of any registered feedlot operator
who fails to cooperate or violates the laws or rules and regulations of the brand
committee covering registered feedlots.
§ 54-1,121. Registered feedlot; cattle shipment; requirements.
Cattle sold or shipped from a registered feedlot, for purposes other than direct slaughter
or sale on any terminal market, are subject to the brand inspection under sections
54-1,110 to 54-1,119, and the seller or shipper shall bear the cost of such inspection at
the regular fee. Any other cattle shipped from a registered feedlot are not subject to
brand inspection at origin or destination, but the shipper must have a shipping
certificate from the registered feedlot. The shipping certificate form shall be prescribed
by the Nebraska Brand Committee and shall show the registered feedlot operator's name and
registration number, date shipped, destination, agency receiving the cattle, number of
head in the shipment, and sex of the cattle. The shipping certificate shall be completed
in triplicate by the registered feedlot operator at the time of shipment. One copy thereof
shall be delivered to the brand inspector at the market along with shipment, if
applicable, one copy shall be sent to the brand committee by the tenth day of the
following month, and one copy shall be retained by the registered feedlot operator. If a
shipping certificate does not accompany a shipment of cattle from a registered feedlot to
any destination where brand inspection is maintained by the brand committee, all such
cattle shall be subject to a brand inspection and inspection fees shall be charged for the
service.
§ 54-1,122. Registered feedlot; cattle received; requirements.
Any cattle originating in a state that has a brand inspection agency and which are
accompanied by a certificate of inspection or brand clearance issued by such agency may be
moved directly from the point of origin into a registered feedlot. Any cattle not
accompanied by such a certificate of inspection or brand clearance or by satisfactory
evidence of ownership from states or portions of states not having brand inspection shall
be inspected for brands by the Nebraska Brand Committee within a reasonable time after
arrival at a registered feedlot, and the inspection fee provided under section 54-1,108
shall be collected by the brand inspector at the time the inspection is performed.
§ 54-1,122.01. Registered dairy; application; requirements; fee; inspections;
records.
(1) Any person who operates a dairy operation located within the brand inspection area may
make application to the Nebraska Brand Committee for registration as a registered dairy.
The application form shall be prescribed by the brand committee and shall be made
available by the director of the brand committee for this purpose upon written request. If
the applicant is an individual, the application shall include the applicant's social
security number. After the brand committee has received a properly completed application,
an agent of the brand committee shall within thirty days make an investigation to
determine if the following requirements are satisfied:
(a) The operator's dairy must be permanently fenced; and
(b) The operator must identify each animal individually as directed by the Nebraska Brand
Committee.
If the application is satisfactory, and upon payment of a registration fee by the
applicant, the brand committee shall issue a registration number and registration
certificate valid for one year unless rescinded for cause. If the registration is
rescinded for cause, any registration fee shall be forfeited by the applicant. The fee for
a registered dairy shall be not less than one hundred dollars nor more than six hundred
fifty dollars for each such registered dairy having one thousand head or less capacity and
an equal amount for each additional one thousand head capacity, or part thereof, of such
registered dairy. The brand committee shall set the fee per one thousand head capacity so
as to correspond with the inspection fee provided under section 54-1,108. The registration
fee shall be paid on an annual basis.
(2) The brand committee may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for the
operation of registered dairies to assure that brand laws are complied with, that
registered dairy shipping certificates are available, and that proper records are
maintained. This section shall not be construed as prohibiting the operation of
nonregistered dairies.
(3) A registered dairy is subject to inspection at any reasonable time at the
discretion of the brand committee and its authorized agents, and the operator shall show
cattle purchase records or certificates of inspection to cover all cattle in his or her
dairy. Cattle having originated from any such registered dairy may from time to time, at
the discretion of the committee, be subject to a spot-check inspection and audit at the
destination to enable the brand committee to assure satisfactory compliance with the brand
laws by the registered dairy operator.
(4) The operator of a registered dairy shall keep cattle inventory records. A form for
such purpose shall be prescribed by the brand committee. The brand committee and its
employees may from time to time make spot checks and audits of registered dairies and the
records of cattle in such registered dairies.
(5) The brand committee may rescind or suspend the registration of any registered dairy
operator who fails to cooperate or violates the laws or rules and regulations of the brand
committee covering registered dairies.
§ 54-1,122.02. Registered dairy; cattle shipment or receipt; requirements.
(1) Cattle sold or shipped from a registered dairy, for purposes other than direct
slaughter or sale on any terminal market, are subject to the brand inspection under
sections 54-1,110 to 54-1,119 and the seller or shipper shall bear the cost of such
inspection at the regular fee.
(2) Any other cattle shipped from a registered dairy are not subject to brand
inspection at origin or destination, but the shipper must have a shipping certificate from
the registered dairy. The shipping certificate form shall be prescribed by the Nebraska
Brand Committee and shall show the registered dairy operator's name and registration
number, date shipped, destination, agency receiving the cattle, number of head in the
shipment, and sex of the cattle. The shipping certificate shall be completed in triplicate
by the registered dairy operator at the time of shipment. One copy thereof shall be
delivered to the brand inspector at the market along with shipment, if applicable, one
copy shall be sent to the brand committee by the tenth day of the following month, and one
copy shall be retained by the registered dairy operator. If a shipping certificate does
not accompany a shipment of cattle from a registered dairy to any destination where brand
inspection is maintained by the brand committee, all such cattle are subject to a brand
inspection and inspection fees shall be charged for the service.
(3) Any cattle originating in a state that has a brand inspection agency and which are
accompanied by a certificate of inspection or brand clearance issued by such agency may be
moved directly from the point of origin into a registered dairy. Any cattle not
accompanied by such a certificate of inspection or brand clearance or by satisfactory
evidence of ownership from states or portions of states not having brand inspection shall
be inspected for brands by the Nebraska Brand Committee within a reasonable time after
arrival at a registered dairy, and the inspection fee provided under section 54-1,108
shall be collected by the brand inspector at the time the inspection is performed.
§ 54-1,123. Prohibited sale; violation; penalty.
No person, other than the owner of the livestock, shall sell or offer for sale or trade or
otherwise dispose of any livestock unless the person so offering has the bill of sale, a
power of attorney from the owner of such livestock authorizing such sale, or other
satisfactory evidence of ownership. A violation of this section is a Class III felony.
§ 54-1,124. Prohibited brand; violation; penalty.
If any person willfully and knowingly brands, marks, or causes to be branded or marked,
livestock owned by another with the intent to deprive such owner of the livestock or
willfully and knowingly effaces, defaces, or obliterates any mark upon any livestock owned
by another with the intent to deprive such owner of the livestock, such person is guilty
of a Class III felony.
§ 54-1,125. False documents; violation; penalty.
(1) Any person who offers as evidence of ownership for any livestock sold, traded, or
otherwise disposed of as provided in the Livestock Brand Act or section 54-415, any
forged, altered, or otherwise falsely prepared document or form, knowing the same to be
forged, altered, or otherwise falsely prepared, is guilty of the Class IV felony of
criminal possession of a forged instrument as defined in section 28-604.
(2) Any person who forges, alters, or otherwise changes in any manner any of the forms
or documents which are satisfactory evidence of ownership or any other form or document
required by or provided for in the Livestock Brand Act or section 54-415, is guilty of
second degree forgery as defined in section 28-603, and shall be punished in accordance
with such section.
(3) Any person who knowingly misrepresents or misuses any certificate of inspection or
other satisfactory evidence of ownership is guilty of a Class II misdemeanor.
§ 54-1,126. General penalty.
Any person who violates any provision of the Livestock Brand Act is guilty of a Class II
misdemeanor unless another penalty is specifically provided for such violation.
§ 54-1,127. Violations; arresting peace officer; powers.
Whenever any person is arrested for a violation of the Livestock Brand Act or section
54-415 punishable as a misdemeanor, the arresting peace officer shall, except as otherwise
provided in this section, take the name and address of such person and the license number
of his or her motor vehicle. The peace officer shall issue a summons or otherwise notify
him or her in writing to appear at a time and place to be specified in such summons or
notice. Such time shall be at least five days after such arrest, unless the person
arrested demands an earlier hearing. Such person, if he or she so desires, has a right to
an immediate hearing or a hearing within twenty-four hours at a convenient hour, such
hearing to be before a magistrate within the county where such offense was committed. The
peace officer shall thereupon, and upon the giving by such person of his or her written
promise to appear at such time and place, forthwith release him or her from custody. Any
person refusing to give such written promise to appear shall be taken immediately by the
arresting peace officer before the nearest or most accessible magistrate.
Enacted in 1999; amended in 2002.
Reviewed by AAHS in July 2001.
Reviewed and updated by AAHS in May 2003.
Return to Top of This Page