HB 427 Summary

• Renames the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and updates the Board of Agriculture accordingly, with at least one board member required to have biosecurity background.

• Establishes a Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity position within the department to oversee biosecurity initiatives and programs.

• Authorizes the department to declare biosecurity emergencies (lasting up to 100 days, renewable) when pests or prohibited organisms threaten the state, enabling exemptions from procurement rules and allowing the governor to requisition property and transfer emergency funds.

• Creates a system for transitional facilities and certified biosecurity compliance auditors to inspect imported goods at facilities rather than ports of entry, with auditors trained and licensed by the department.

• Authorizes government-industry readiness and response agreements for preventing and detecting unwanted organisms, requires a pest dashboard by December 1, 2025, and allows biosecurity/pest management plans to be submitted for board approval.