HI HCR183

Requests the Department of Agriculture to convene a task force to examine the feasibility of transferring the Plant Quarantine Branch from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Transportation.

Task force membership includes the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture (as chair), the Director of Transportation, the Chief of the Plant Quarantine Branch, and one member each appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Directs the task force to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Governor and Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2016 Regular Session.

Notes concerns about the Department of Agriculture's ability to hire inspectors timely, failure to submit required biosecurity program reports, and lack of transparency in implementing biosecurity initiatives.

Acknowledges that the Department of Transportation has federal mandates to reduce invasive species introductions at state airports, suggesting a potential alignment with plant quarantine functions.