JD Key Consulting Logo
SB503

Regular Session

Relating to the establishment of an electronic registry of livestock marks and brands.

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
SB503
Moderate
Relating to the establishment of an electronic registry of livestock marks and brands.
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
County ClerksTexas Animal Health Commission
Primary Author: Sen. Charles Perry
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025.
  • Compliance Deadline: Immediate for new filings after September 1, 2025 (specifically regarding written agent authorization). The mandatory 10-year rerecording cycle is reset to commence September 1, 2031, with a deadline of February 28, 2032.
  • Agency Rulemaking: TAHC is required to adopt rules "as soon as practicable" after September 1, 2025. Expect a regulatory "gray zone" between late 2025 and mid-2026 as the agency defines data transmission standards and builds the IT infrastructure funded in the FY2026 budget.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Execute Written Authorizations: Immediately draft and sign written authorization forms for all agents handling brand filings to comply with the new Section 2(i) requirement.
  • 2. Review Insurance Coverage: Audit farm and ranch liability policies to ensure coverage aligns with the heightened "presumption of control" strict liability standards.
  • 3. Audit Brand Locations: Review current brand registrations to ensure anatomical descriptions are specific; prepare to amend vague descriptions during the next filing.
  • 4. Schedule Registry Audit: Set a compliance calendar reminder for mid-2026 to search the new TAHC registry and verify your historical data was transferred accurately by the counties.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Agency Agreements: Verbal authorization for ranch managers, foremen, or attorneys to file brands is no longer legally sufficient. You must execute written "Brand Recording Authorization" agreements with any agent acting on your behalf.
  • Lease & Liability Agreements: Due to the new statutory presumption of control, lease agreements must explicitly state who holds the brand registration to avoid strict liability for the landowner in the event of stray animal accidents or health violations.

Hiring/Training

  • Filing Protocols: Staff responsible for filings must be trained on new specificity requirements. Vague anatomical descriptions (e.g., "left side") will likely be rejected; specific designations (e.g., "left hip") are required.
  • Digital Verification: Compliance teams must transition from calling County Clerks to utilizing the TAHC online portal for due diligence once the system is live (projected FY2026).

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Digital Wallets: County Clerks are authorized to issue electronic receipts. Businesses should transition to digital storage of these receipts to facilitate faster reconciliation with the state registry.
  • Verification of Transmission: When filing with a County Clerk, you must now request confirmation that the record was transmitted to TAHC within the statutory 30-day window.

Fees & Costs

  • Direct Costs: No immediate statutory fee increases for filers are included in the bill.
  • Indirect Costs: Expect administrative costs related to auditing the state registry for errors during the "back-fill" of historical data from counties to the state.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Data Conflict Supremacy: The statute does not specify which record prevails if the County Clerk's local record differs from the TAHC electronic registry. This is a critical litigation risk until clarified by rulemaking.
  • Privacy Definitions: The law shields "personal identifying information" from the public but does not define the term. It is unclear if business addresses for sole proprietors will be redacted or public.
  • Law Enforcement Access: The threshold for law enforcement to access non-public data is undefined. We must monitor rulemaking to ensure "access" requires a verified operational need rather than open browsing.

Need Help Understanding Implementation?

Our government affairs experts can walk you through this bill's specific impact on your operations.

Schedule Consultation

Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Nov 25, 2024
Passed Senate
Apr 1, 2025
Passed House
Apr 16, 2025
Signed
May 3, 2025
TopicsAgricultureAnimalsElectronic Information SystemsInternetAnimal Health Commission, TexasCounty GovernmentCounty Government--employees/officers
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Charles PerryRepublican · Primary Author
Coauthors (2)

House Sponsors

Rep. Ryan GuillenRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Joint Sponsors
Cosponsors (7)

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

Explore more bills from this author and on related topics

More from Sen. Charles Perry

View all bills by Sen. Charles Perry

Related by Topic

View more Agriculture legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB503

Q

What does Texas SB503 do?

SB503 centralizes Texas livestock brand records, moving from a fragmented county system to a statewide electronic registry managed by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). Effective September 1, 2025, this law establishes a strict statutory presumption that the recorded brand holder controls the animal, significantly impacting liability exposure for livestock producers, ranch managers, and lenders. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025.

Q

Who authored SB503?

SB503 was authored by Texas Senator Charles Perry during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB503 signed into law?

SB503 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 3, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB503?

SB503 is enforced by County Clerks and Texas Animal Health Commission.

Q

How urgent is compliance with SB503?

The compliance urgency for SB503 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB503?

The cost impact of SB503 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB503 address?

SB503 addresses topics including agriculture, animals, electronic information systems, internet and animal health commission, texas.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

Need Strategic Guidance on This Bill?

Need help with Government Relations, Lobbying, or compliance? JD Key Consulting has the expertise you're looking for.