SF0064

Establishes state policy opposing mandatory electronic identification devices for livestock and allocates responsibility for electronic tagging to out-of-state buyers.

• Creates W.S. 11-18-121 establishing legislative findings that Wyoming's voluntary livestock identification system has served the industry well, that the federal electronic identification rule applies to only 11% of national livestock, and that the rule was adopted by agency action rather than congressional legislation. (Sec. 1, W.S. 11-18-121(a))
• Declares Wyoming's policy opposing the USDA APHIS mandatory electronic identification rule for Wyoming livestock. (W.S. 11-18-121(b)(i))
• Affirms that Wyoming livestock producers have the freedom to use historically reliable identification methods including brands, backtags, tattoos, and ear tags under existing law. (W.S. 11-18-121(b)(ii), W.S. 11-18-117)
• Commits Wyoming to working with metal identification tag manufacturers to produce traditional tags for livestock health and identity confirmation. (W.S. 11-18-121(b)(iii))
• Directs Wyoming to seek agreements with other states to allow livestock transportation without requiring electronic identification ear tags. (W.S. 11-18-121(b)(iv))
• Requires Wyoming to demand a complete accounting from USDA APHIS of all costs associated with mandatory electronic identification, including hardware, software, ear tags, equipment retrofitting, labor, and compliance documentation. (W.S. 11-18-121(b)(v))
• Requires the state veterinarian and local veterinarians to inform livestock producers of all available identification options for disease traceability. (W.S. 11-18-121(c))
• Establishes that buyers of livestock in receiving states are responsible for tagging with electronic identification devices if required by that state, unless the Wyoming livestock owner has voluntarily used electronic identification. (W.S. 11-18-121(d))

Effective: Immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law