HI HB859

Establishes an agricultural crime prevention program within the Department of Agriculture, including a special fund to provide grants for surveillance equipment, signage, fencing, and other protective measures to agricultural property owners and community organizations

Creates a specialized unit of brand inspectors with authority to conduct investigations, issue citations, execute warrants, and seize contraband related to livestock branding violations

Establishes the offense of criminal trespass on agricultural land as a misdemeanor with mandatory minimum sentences (3 days imprisonment and $500 fine for first offense), escalating to a class C felony when a dangerous instrument is possessed

Upgrades hunting on private lands without written authorization from a misdemeanor to a class C felony, requiring hunters to carry signed written permission and imposing asset forfeiture for firearms, hunting animals, and vehicles used in violations

Strengthens penalties for agricultural crimes including livestock theft, brand tampering, and unauthorized slaughter, with habitual offenders (3+ convictions within 5 years) facing class C felony charges with minimum 1-year imprisonment