AI-assisted research summary: Livestock owners must record or rerecord their marks and brands with the county clerk on the stated schedule, and county clerks must send certain records to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days.
Sec. 144.044. RERECORDING. (a) Not later than six months after September 1 of 2031 and every 10th year thereafter, each person who owns livestock mentioned in this chapter shall have that person's marks and brands recorded or rerecorded with the county clerk, regardless of whether or not the marks or brands have been previously recorded. (b) The person who, according to the records of the county, first recorded the mark or brand in the county is entitled to have the mark or brand recorded in that person's name. If the records do not show who first recorded the mark or brand in the county, the person who has been using the mark or brand the longest is entitled to have it recorded in that person's name. (c) After the expiration of six months from each recording under this section, the marks and brands recorded prior to recording under this section have no force and effect and only the records made after each recording under this section may be examined or considered in recording marks and brands in the county. (d) 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). Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1359, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 368, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 3 (S.B. 503), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER D. ELECTRONIC REGISTRY OF MARKS AND BRANDS