The board shall approve marks or brands for registration, issue certificates of approval, and administer sections 35.821 to 35.831. The board shall publish a state brand book containing a facsimile of each mark or brand that is registered with it, showing the owner's name and address and the pertinent laws and rules pertaining to brand registrations and reregistrations.

The board shall prepare standard forms and supply the forms for distribution to those who desire to apply for a brand. The application must show a left and right side view of the animals upon which a mark or brand will be eligible for registry. The mark or brand location must be designated to the following body regions: head, bregma, right and left jaw, neck, shoulder, rib, hip, and breech. The applicant must select at least three distinct marks or brands listed in preferred order, and three locations on the animal listed in preferred order. The application must be properly signed and notarized and accompanied by a fee of $10. The mark or brand, if approved and accepted by the board, is valid during the ten-year period in which it is recorded. A person who knowingly places on an animal a mark or brand which has not been registered with the board and which is in duplication of a mark or brand that is registered with the board is guilty of a felony. "Duplication" means the use of a similar mark or brand, used in any position on the animal designated for the use of a registered mark or brand, such as the head, bregma, jaw, neck, shoulder, rib, hip, or breech. A person who alters or defaces a brand or mark on any animal to prevent its identification by its owner is guilty of a felony.

HIST: 1965 c 291 s 4; 1975 c 228 s 1; 1985 c 265 art 1 s 1

Marks or brands received by the board must be held and listed by the board, which shall immediately check the mark or brand applications for conflicts. If a conflict is found, the fee and the conflicting application must be returned to the person making the application.

HIST: 1965 c 291 s 5; 1985 c 265 art 1 s 1

All approved mark or brand applications must be sorted in a systematic manner and published in the state brand book. Supplements and revised brand books must be published at the discretion of the board. At least six months before expiration, all registered mark or brand owners and assignees must be notified in writing that their marks or brands will terminate in six months and that they must be renewed. A reregistration fee of $10 must be charged for the ensuing ten-year period or part of ten years. Failure to renew a mark or brand on or before the
time specified, in accordance with sections 35.821 to 35.831, is an absolute abandonment to the state of the mark or brand. The board may not reissue a mark or brand abandoned under this section except to the original owner or, after a period of two years, to another applicant upon proper application.

HIST: 1965 c 291 s 6; 1975 c 228 s 2; 1985 c 265 art 1 s 1

The state brand book and all supplements for the ten-year period must be sold to the public at a price which includes the costs of printing, handling, and mailing. The board shall distribute all brand books and supplements to the sheriff of each county without cost.

HIST: 1965 c 291 s 7; 1975 c 228 s 3; 1985 c 265 art 1 s 1

Marks or brands which appear in the state brand book or its supplements or which are registered with the board, are prima facie evidence of ownership and take precedence over similar marks or brands if the question of ownership arises. The owner whose mark or brand does not appear in the state brand book or its supplement and which is not registered with the board must produce evidence to establish title to the property in the event of controversy.

HIST: 1965 c 291 s 8; 1975 c 228 s 4; 1985 c 265 art 1 s 1

Only brands registered with the board or appearing in the state brand book or its supplement are subject to sale, assignment, transfer, devise, or bequest, the same as other personal property. The board shall prescribe forms for the sale or assignment of a brand. A transferred brand must be recorded with the board. The fee for recording it is $10.

HIST: 1965 c 291 s 9; 1975 c 228 s 5; 1985 c 265 art 1 s 1

Persons selling animals marked or branded with their mark or brand recorded in a current state brand book or its supplement or registered with the board shall execute to the purchaser a written bill of sale bearing the signature and residence of the seller, the name and address of the purchaser, the total number of animals sold, a description of each animal sold as to sex and kind, and all registered brands. The bill of
sale must be kept by the purchaser for two years and for as long afterwards as the purchaser owns any of the animals described in the bill of sale. A copy of the bill of sale must be given to each hauler of the animals, other than railroads, and must accompany the shipment of animals while in transit. The bill of sale or a copy must be shown by the possessor on demand to any peace officer or compliance representative of the board. The bill of sale is prima facie evidence of the sale of the animals described by the bill of sale.

HIST: 1965 c 291 s 10; 1975 c 228 s 6; 1980 c 467 s 29; 1985 c
265 art 1 s 1; 1988 c 485 s 7