Brand books and supplements: Issuance by Department; costs

1. The Department may compile and issue books, and supplements thereto, containing transcripts of part or all of its records of brands and marks, so arranged and indexed as to be suitable for use in identifying any brands or marks which may be found in this State on any animals, or the hides thereof, and used in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. 2. Copies of the brand books and supplements must be made available to any person at a charge to be fixed by the Department, but the charge must not be less than the cost of compilation, publication and issuance. 3. Copies of the brand books or supplements may be furnished by the Department, without charge, to any public officer or other person whose possession of the book or supplements will, in the opinion of the Department, serve to promote the general welfare. 4. In addition to any other format, the Department shall make any copies of the brand books and supplements available pursuant to this section available in an electronic format. The Department may include, in the amount of any charge fixed by the Department pursuant to subsection 2, any costs incurred by the Department in preparing those copies pursuant to this subsection.