The Senate committees on Agriculture and Environment and the Economic and Infrastructure committee on April 11 passed HCR 42, HD 1, a resolution encouraging each county to establish a biosecurity plan that prioritizes county needs and identifies proposed legislative changes at state and county levels.

Stephanie Easley, representing the coordinating group on alien pest species, told the committees that counties play a large role in invasive-species prevention and response and that the measure could "catalyze" county plans. Easley said a court decision has created an implied preemption that prevents counties from regulating noxious weeds, pests or infested materials and noted that "there are no state level programs to address invasive plants that are already present in the state." She recommended expanding county plans to identify legislative solutions and alternatives to address gaps.

Department of Agriculture representatives and testimony from the Department of Land and Natural Resources were on record offering comments in support or with suggestions; Louis Crosier and others filed written testimony in support. Committee chairs said they had conferred and recommended passing HCR 42 unamended. The committees adopted the recommendation by recorded vote.

The record does not include specific statutory language to change preemption or an action timeline for counties. HCR 42 asks counties to develop plans and explicitly permits inclusion of proposed legislative changes at both state and county levels; the transcript does not specify funding, enforcement mechanisms, or a deadline for plans to be completed.

Committee action was to pass HCR 42, HD 1, as recommended.