SB 2553

Present law requires any person doing business as a livestock dealer to procure from the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's appointed agent ("commissioner"") an annual license. The following actions are specifically prohibited:  Any person acting as a livestock dealer without such a valid license .  Failure to maintain records as required by the commissioner .  Failure to provide access to all records required of such licensee .  Buying or selling livestock under an assumed name or address.  Violation of a valid rule, regulation, or statute governing livestock disease control .  Failure to make payment to a buyer or seller .  M aking a payment to a buyer or seller with insufficient funds .  Failure to keep current bond requirements pursuant to federal law . Present law provides that the above provisions do not apply to any livestock producer who may occasionally buy or sell livestock in connection with that person's farming operations. As used in the law described above, ""l ivestock” means cattle, calves, horses, mules, poultry, swine, sheep, goats, and alternative livestock . ""ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK"" DEFINED Present law defines ""a lternative livestock "" as non-traditional cattle, calves, horses, mules, poultry, swine, sheep, goats, and alternative livestock that are hoofed and captive-farmed for purposes of agricultural or recreational use . This bill removes the requirement that other unspecified alternative livestock that are captive-farmed for purposes of agricultural or recreational use must be hoofed."