Bill Text: VA HB1152 | 2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Beehive grant program; DACS and Consumer Services to cease reviewing applications for funding.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-05 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0192) [HB1152 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HB1152-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §3.2-4416 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§3.2-4416. Beehive distribution program.
A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a
different meaning:
"Fund" means the Beehive Grant Fund established
pursuant to §3.2-4415.
"Grant" means a grant issued pursuant to the
Beehive Grant Program.
"Individual" means a beekeeper Any
individual registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services.
B. Beginning January 1, 2013, any individual who either purchases
a new hive or purchases materials or supplies to construct a new hive as
a beekeeper may apply to the Department for a grant from the
Fund. Such grant shall be in an amount equal to $200 per new hive, not to
exceed $2,400 per individual per year.
C. An individual shall apply to the Department for a grant
for purchase or construction of new hives. Grants no more than three
basic beehive units per year. The Department shall establish guidelines setting
forth the components of a basic beehive unit and the general requirements for
qualifying for such unit. Applications for beehive units shall be issued
processed in the order that each in which completed eligible
application is applications are received. In the event that the
amount of eligible grants requested in a fiscal year exceeds the funds
are not available in the Beehive Grant Fund, such grants shall be
paid in established pursuant to §3.2-4415 (the Fund), the Department
may cease accepting applications and notify applicants that the funds available
for that fiscal year have been exhausted. The Department shall not be required
to carry forward pending applications to the next fiscal year in which
funds are available in the Fund.
D. The Department shall develop guidelines setting forth
the general requirements of qualifying for a grant.
E. The Department shall compile, maintain, and
distribute electronically a Virginia Beekeeping Guide to provide information to
beekeepers on beekeeping may use funds from the Fund to pay for the
costs of purchasing, building, or distributing the beehive units and for the
costs of administering the beehive distribution program. The Department may
work cooperatively with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and
Agricultural Experiment Station Division, established pursuant to Article 2 (§
23.1-2608 et seq.) of Chapter 26 of Title 23.1, to carry out the provisions of
this section.
