Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Patton opened debate on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4006, saying the resolution would ask Congress to enact federal protections for the wild horse herd at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and that the committee had heard testimony on the topic.

The measure, described in committee as a request that Congress enact protections, drew discussion about whether a state resolution could influence the National Park Service and concerns about herd management and overpopulation. "Sometimes there are feel good resolutions," Chairman Patton said, "it just asks that the federal government or the congress to enact protections. So there is no inherent risk in passing it."

Senator Beard, who cited testimony from the hearing, said some witnesses were concerned about management tactics used previously: "they basically were sterilizing the herd to obliteration, to get rid of the herd completely." Senator Kessel, who represents the district where the horses live, said the park "can sustain about 80 horses" while the herd counted in testimony was larger and urged realistic expectations about what state action can accomplish. Senator Gearhart asked for clarity that the resolution would not prevent necessary herd management: "I just I just wanted to make sure ... that there's nothing in here that construes like the inability to manage the herd."

Committee members noted a companion bill in another committee that would create a state-level commission and carries a fiscal note; several senators said that measure raised separate and larger policy and cost questions than the resolution. Committee discussion repeatedly framed the resolution as a nonbinding request to Congress rather than a change in state management authority.

Chairman Patton moved a recommendation of a "due pass" for the resolution. The motion was seconded and the clerk recorded the vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays. The committee's recommendation will accompany the resolution to the next stage, and members signaled interest in further federal or interagency engagement rather than unilateral state action.

The committee did not take action on the companion bill that would set up a commission; senators said that item was being considered in the State and Local Government Committee and included a fiscal note that requires further review.

The committee adjourned after taking the vote.