2010 Wyoming Statutes
Title 11 - Agriculture, Livestock And Other Animals
Chapter 37 - Beef Council

CHAPTER 37 - BEEF COUNCIL

 

11-37-101. Legislative intent.

 

The legislature intends by this act to provide the cattle industry with authority to establish a self-financed program to help market, develop, maintain and expand in the state, national and foreign markets for beef and beef products produced, processed or manufactured in this state, and the use and consumption of such beef and beef products.

 

11-37-102. Definitions.

 

 

(a) As used in this act:

 

(i) "Beef" includes veal;

 

(ii) "Beef products" include veal products;

 

(iii) "Board" means the Wyoming livestock board;

 

(iv) "Council" means the Wyoming beef council;

 

(v) Repealed By Laws 2009, Ch. 90, 3.

 

(vi) "Producer" means any person who owns or acquires ownership of cattle, provided a person shall not be deemed a producer if:

 

(A) The person's only share in the proceeds of a sale of cattle or beef is a sales commission, handling fee or other service fee; or

 

(B) The person:

 

(I) Acquired ownership of cattle to facilitate the transfer of ownership of the cattle from the seller to a third party;

 

(II) Resold the cattle no later than ten (10) days from the date on which the person acquired ownership; and

 

(III) Certified, as required by the council, that the requirements of this subdivision have been satisfied.

 

(vii) "This act" means W.S. 11-37-101 through 11-37-110.

 

11-37-103. Establishment; composition; appointment; term; removal; vacancies; reimbursement for expenses.

 

 

(a) There is created the Wyoming beef council. For administrative purposes the council shall be within the department of agriculture. The council shall be composed of five (5) producers appointed by the governor. The director of the department of agriculture or his designated representative shall serve ex officio without vote. With advice of the council, the governor may designate one (1) or more additional representatives of the beef industry to serve ex officio without vote. The appointed council members shall consist of three (3) producers of range cattle, one (1) cattle feeder and one (1) dairyman. The governor may remove any member he appoints as provided in W.S. 9-1-202.

 

(b) Upon the expiration of the term of an appointed member, a successor shall be appointed by the governor for a term of three (3) years. If a vacancy occurs, the governor shall appoint a person for the unexpired term.

 

(c) The governor shall declare the office of any appointed member of the council vacant when he finds that:

 

(i) The member is no longer a producer;

 

(ii) The member is unable to perform his duties; or

 

(iii) The member has become a resident of another state.

 

(d) Members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall receive mileage and per diem as provided by law for state employees.

 

11-37-104. Powers and duties; employment of manager; duties of manager.

 

 

(a) The council shall:

 

(i) Receive and disburse funds under the provisions of this act to be used in administering the provisions of this act;

 

(ii) Annually elect a chairman from among its members. No chairman shall succeed himself more than once;

 

(iii) Appoint a secretary-treasurer who may be from among its members;

 

(iv) Meet regularly every four (4) months and at such other times as called by the chairman or when requested by three (3) or more members of the council;

 

(v) Keep a permanent record of its proceedings and report to the governor respecting its activities as required by W.S. 9-2-1014;

 

(vi) Establish and maintain promotion, information, education and research programs to market, develop, maintain and expand state, national and foreign markets for beef and beef products produced, processed or manufactured in Wyoming.

 

(b) The council may:

 

(i) Conduct or contract for scientific research to discover and develop improved marketing methods for beef and beef products, including programs of consumer education and protection;

 

(ii) Disseminate reliable information, founded upon research, showing uses or probable uses of beef and beef products;

 

(iii) Study state and federal legislation with respect to tariffs, duties, reciprocal trade agreements, import quotas and other matters concerning the beef industry;

 

(iv) Sue and be sued as a council, without individual liability, for acts of the council within the scope of the powers and duties conferred upon it by this act;

 

(v) Enter into contracts to carry out the purpose of the council as provided in this act, including contracts for promotion of beef and beef products and development of new markets through such promotion;

 

(vi) Appoint advisory groups composed of representatives from organizations, institutions or business related to or interested in the welfare of the beef industry;

 

(vii) Make grants to research agencies for financing special or emergency studies, or for purchase or acquisition of facilities necessary to carry out the purposes of the council;

 

(viii) Employ and remove for cause employees to assist in the discharge of the duties authorized by this act;

 

(ix) Cooperate with any local, state or nationwide organization or agency engaged in work or activities similar to or related to those of the council, and enter into contracts with such organizations or agencies for carrying on joint programs;

 

(x) Act jointly and in cooperation with the state or federal government, or both, or any agency thereof in the administration of any program of the government or of a governmental agency deemed by the council as beneficial to the beef industry of this state and expend funds in connection therewith;

 

(xi) Adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this act;

 

(xii) Adopt, rescind, modify or amend all proper regulations, orders and resolutions for the exercise of its powers and duties.

 

11-37-105. Authority to accept grants.

 

The council may accept grants, donations, contributions or gifts from any source for expenditures for any purpose consistent with the powers and duties conferred on the council.

 

11-37-106. Contributions allowed.

 

From the funds it receives, the council may pay or contribute to organizations such as, but not limited to, the national livestock and meat board, to carry out work and programs approved by the council.

 

11-37-107. Creation of account; collection of additional brand inspection fee; disposition of proceeds.

 

(a) All monies received by the council shall be deposited in the state treasury. The state treasurer shall deposit the monies to the credit of the beef council account. Interest earned on monies in the account shall be deposited to the credit of the account. All monies in the account including earned interest shall be expended only for the purposes authorized by this act.

 

(b) In addition to the brand inspection fee provided in W.S. 11-20-401 the board shall collect an additional amount not to exceed one dollar ($1.00) per head on cattle and calves under the same authority and at the same time, place and manner as brand inspections are made excluding cattle and calves being inspected when no change in ownership is involved. Fees collected by the board shall be deposited with the state treasurer to the credit of the account created by subsection (a) of this section. Monies received by the council under this subsection shall be used to administer this act.

 

(c) The council shall at the end of each month reimburse the livestock board for collection and administrative costs incurred by the board in collecting the fee under subsection (b) of this section. The amount reimbursed shall equal three percent (3%) of the fees collected during the month and shall be deposited with the state treasurer to the credit of the board's inspection account created by subsection (a) of this section.

 

11-37-108. Failure to pay or remit monies due or collected; penalty.

 

Any person who fails to pay or remit any monies, due or collected, as provided in this act, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction may be fined not to exceed seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00).

 

11-37-109. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 112, 2.

 

11-37-110. Surety bond required to receive or disburse funds.

 

Any person authorized by the council to receive or disburse funds, as provided by this act, shall post with the council a surety bond in an amount the council determines sufficient, for which the cost or premium shall be paid by the council.