AI-assisted research summary: People who own certain livestock must record identification marks with the county clerk; county clerks also must keep records, accept electronic filings, and send cattle or horse records to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days.
Sec. 144.041. MARKS AND BRANDS TO BE RECORDED. (a) Each person who owns cattle, hogs, sheep, or goats shall record that person's earmarks, brands, tattoos, electronic devices, and other generally accepted identification methods with the county clerk of the county in which the animals are located. (b) A person who owns a horse shall record an identification mark authorized by Section 144.001(b) with the county clerk of the county in which the animal is located. (c) The county clerk shall make and keep an electronic record of the marks and brands of each person who applies to the clerk for recording of a mark or brand. (d) A person may record that person's marks and brands in as many counties as necessary. (e) A person may record any mark or brand that the person desires to use if no other person has recorded the mark or brand, without regard to whether that person has previously recorded a mark or brand. (f) Not later than the 30th day after the date a county clerk receives a record relating to cattle or horses under this section, the clerk shall deliver an electronic copy of the record to the Texas Animal Health Commission as described by Section 144.102(d). (g) The recording of marks and brands at a point of sale for use by an association authorized to inspect livestock under 7 U.S.C. Section 217a does not serve as a record under this chapter. An association authorized to inspect livestock under 7 U.S.C. Section 217a has no duty to verify ownership at a point of sale. (h) A county clerk shall accept electronic filing or rerecording of an earmark, brand, tattoo, electronic device, or other type of mark for which a recording is required under this chapter or other law. (i) A person required to record an earmark, brand, tattoo, electronic device, or other type of mark may authorize an agent to record the mark under this section. The authorization must be in writing. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1358, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 780, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 368, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 506 (S.B. 1016), Sec. 9.21, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 304 (H.B. 2108), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1341 (S.B. 1233), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 3 (S.B. 503), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.