South Dakota brand board Executive Director Debbie Trapp said the last increase to the brand inspection fee came in 2013. The brand inspection fund is comprised of money received from brand inspection fees and is kept separate from the brand fund and the theft prevention fund. Brand board members, brand investigators, the executive director and office staff members who cover brand applications, transfer, renewals, shippers’ permits, and the monthly updates to the brand book are covered from the brand fund. SDSGA felt that it was important to keep the brand program solvent while pushing for improvement in the brand program. South Dakota brand laws apply statewide, but mandatory brand inspection is only required in counties west of the Missouri River.