Statewide Brand Registration System

Background

• Senate Bill 503, otherwise referred to as the "branding bill," was passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session (2025) and signed by the governor.
• The act amends sections of Chapter 144 of the Texas Agriculture Code to establish a more modernized and streamlined system for livestock identification through the use of a digital, centralized brand registry.

Implementation

State Requirements

TAHC is in the initial stages of implementing this bill. Effective date of this act began September 1, 2025, and requires TAHC, as soon as practicable after the effective date, to adopt the rules necessary to implement the changes.

Additional information and instructions will be available on this webpage once the electronic system is up and running.

Local Requirements

The act requires that each person who owns livestock—cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, or goats—has until and no later than six months after September 1, 2031, and every 10th year thereafter, to record or rerecord that person’s marks and brands with the county clerk, regardless of whether or not the marks or brands have been previously recorded.

While statewide registry implementation is still in progress, individuals and producers should continue to manually provide their county clerk's office with the required information no later than six months after August 30, 1981, and of every 10th year thereafter, to have that person's marks and brands recorded or re-recorded with the county clerk, regardless of whether or not the marks or brands have been previously recorded. County clerks should transmit any registration received to brands@tahc.texas.gov.

• The legislation mandates that livestock owners record their identification marks with the county clerk in the county where the animals are located.
• County clerks are also required to maintain an electronic record of these identifiers and transmit copies to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) within 30 days of receipt.

Benefits of Statewide Registry

With the electronic filing system being housed at the Texas Animal Health Commission, law enforcement, producers, and county clerks will be able to access it online. The centralized database allows for the identification of stray or stolen livestock quicker, reducing the need to hold animals for extended periods of time and expedite the return of livestock to their rightful owner.

The act expands the acceptable forms of livestock identification beyond traditional methods—such as brands, earmarks, and tattoos—to include electronic devices and other generally accepted identification technologies.

The act will help bring Texas in line with more contemporary livestock management systems; empowers county clerks to accept electronic filings and re-recordings, providing flexibility for both the government and livestock owners; and allows livestock owners to authorize agents in writing to act on their behalf for recording identifiers.