Committee backs bill to raise Idaho Brand Board fees to shore up program funding

Representative John VanderWaat (District 22) introduced Senate Bill 1016, which would raise statutory fee caps and adjust how the Idaho Brand Board manages its revenue. "They're basically, they've had reserves," VanderWaat said, describing long-term declines in buying power and the need to update fee caps. He noted an unusual change in the bill that would allow interest earned on industry accounts to remain with the program rather than reverting to the general fund.

Cody Burlisle, director of the Idaho Brand Board and the state brand inspector, told the committee the board began planning for fee adjustments three years ago, formed a stakeholder working group and held more than 20 meetings. "Part of that planning process was reaching out to industry ... we put together a stakeholder working group and tried to bring all those stakeholders together to the table," Burlisle said. He said the brand program is funded by dedicated fees and that the livestock industry, not general taxpayers, would pay the increased amounts. "Our agency is solely funded by dedicated funds," Burlisle said. "Yes, the livestock industry will be the ones that are paying these fees."

Committee members pressed for practical details. Burlisle said the program currently employs about 41 full-time staff and about 10 part-time staff, operates roughly 40 vehicles, and aims to replace about six vehicles a year. He described some vehicles as having more than 120,000 miles and said wages and equipment needs have made sustainability difficult on historical revenues. The bill would raise statutory caps on fees, give the Brand Board limited discretion to set fees within those caps annually, and allow interest on program accounts to be retained by the program. Burlisle said the board's goal is to plan for roughly a 10-year funding horizon.

Testimony in support came from trade organizations and producers, including Spencer Black of the Idaho Cattle Association and Ted Vanderscoff, chair of the Idaho Dairy Association. Representatives on the committee described the program's role in preventing "vigilante justice" in livestock disputes and emphasized the title-transfer role of brand inspections for animals leaving the state.

Representative Nelson moved to send Senate Bill 1016 to the House floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; the transcript records an affirmative voice vote and no stated opposition.

The bill's sponsors and industry witnesses emphasized that fees would be paid by producers and dealers because the Brand Board is funded through dedicated assessments. Several members expressed willingness to support fee adjustments while one member said he would oppose the bill on principle as an additional fee. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript.