HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	866
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 2
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's beekeepers are experiencing devastating losses in their industry due to a combination of bad weather and the infestation of varroa mites, nosema spores, and small hive beetles.  Unofficial counts indicate that thousands of bee colonies in Hawaii have died off, but the exact numbers remain unknown.  Currently, state agricultural officials do not compile statistics on the production of queen bees in Hawaii, in part because the industry is small and also because of issues relating to proprietary information.

     The purpose of this Act is to allow beekeepers to register certain information with the department of agriculture, which shall be confidential subject to the limitations on confidentiality imposed under chapter 92F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 142, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§142-    Beekeepers; registration.  (a)  Beekeepers may register with the department of agriculture, on forms prescribed and prepared by the department, which shall include the following information:

     (1)  The name, address, and contact information for the beekeeper; and

     (2)  Other information that may assist the department in compiling accurate information on Hawaii's beekeeping industry.

     (b)  The department of agriculture shall keep registration information confidential subject to the limitations on confidentiality imposed under chapter 92F; provided that the name and business address of each registrant shall be made publicly available by the department; and provided further that the department may compile statistics based on the information, pursuant to section 141-1.

     (c)  The registration shall be effective for a period of one year, and shall be renewed at the end of the one-year period."

     SECTION 3.  The department of agriculture shall establish an apiary program, which may include the following positions, to carry out the purposes of this Act:  

     (1)  One apiary specialist;

     (2)  One apiary planner; and

     (3)  Two apiary technicians.

     SECTION 4.  The department of agriculture shall report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2013 on the effectiveness of beekeeper registration in keeping accurate statistics on the beekeeping industry, including any proposed legislation or recommendations for amendments to the registration system or process.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2011.

 

 

Report Title:

Beekeeping; Registration

 

Description:

Allows beekeepers to register with the Department of Agriculture.  Effective July 1, 2011.  (HB866 CD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.