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Legislators reject brand inspection feePIERRE, S.D. (AP)--South Dakota legislators have voted against a measure that would raise the ceiling on the fee that can be charged for brand inspections in the state. The Government Operations and Audit Committee unanimously rejected the proposal after members complained that the fee had just been raised to 80 cents on Jan. 1. That was an increase of a dime, and it is the current limit allowed by state law. The fee is charged in 22 West River counties for inspecting brands on cattle, horses and mules that have been sold, go to slaughter or are removed from those counties. The inspections ensure that people in possession of livestock are the actual owners. The state Brand Board wanted the maximum fee set at $1. Brand Board members said they have no intention of increasing the fee, but they would like that flexibility if the long drought continues in central and western South Dakota and fewer cattle are raised in those areas. If cattle numbers decline, it is more difficult to fund the inspection program because certain numbers of inspectors are necessary to cover such a large area of the state, supporters of HB1008 argued. B 10 1/27/06 4 Star NE Date: 1/24/07
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