AN ACT Relating to apiaries; amending RCW
15.60.005, 15.60.007, 15.60.010, 15.60.015, 15.60.020, 15.60.025, 15.60.030,
15.60.040, 15.60.042, 15.60.043, 15.60.050, 15.60.100, 15.60.110, 15.60.120,
15.60.140, 15.60.150, 15.60.170, and 15.60.180; adding new sections to chapter
15.60 RCW; repealing RCW 15.60.200; and prescribing penalties.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1.
RCW 15.60.005 and 1988 c 4 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
((As used in)) Unless the context
clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout
this chapter:
(1) (("Director" means the
director of agriculture of the state of Washington;
(2)))
"Department" means the department of agriculture of the state of
Washington((;)).
(2) "Director" means the director
of the state department of agriculture or the director's authorized
representative.
(3) "Apiary" ((includes)) means
a site where hives of bees((,)) or hives((, and
appliances, wherever they)) are kept((, located,)) or found((;)).
(4) "Abandoned ((apiary)) hive"
means ((an apiary that)) any hive, with or without bees, that
evidences a lack of being properly managed in that it has not been supered
in the spring, except nucs, or unsupered in the fall, or is
otherwise ((managed for a period of twelve months;)) unmanaged and
left without authorization and unattended on the property of another person or
on public land.
(5) "Apiarist" means any person who
owns bees or is a keeper of bees((;)).
(6) "((Appliances)) Beekeeping
equipment" means any implements or devices used in the ((manipulating))
manipulation of bees, their brood, or hives((, which may be
used)) in ((any)) an apiary ((or any extracting or packing
equipment;)).
(7) "Bees" means ((honey producing
insects of the species apis mellifera and include the adults,)) adult
insects, eggs, larvae, pupae, or other immature stages ((thereof;)) of
the species Apis mellifera.
(8) "Certificate" ((means an
inspection document, showing the presence of or freedom from a disease, and
origin of shipment documentation which shall be)) or "certificate
of inspection" means an official document ((of the regulatory
agency responsible for issuance;)) certifying compliance with the
requirements of this chapter and accompanying the movement of inspected bees,
bee hives, or beekeeping equipment.
(9) "Colony" ((or "colonies
of bees")) refers to ((any)) a natural group of bees
having a queen((;)) or queens.
(10) "Compliance agreement" means
a written agreement between the department and a person engaged in apiculture,
or handling, selling, or moving of hives or beekeeping equipment in which the
person agrees to comply with stipulated requirements.
(11) "Feral colony" means a colony
of bees in a natural cavity or a manufactured structure not intended for the
keeping of bees on movable frames and comb.
(12) "Swarm" means a natural group
of bees having a queen or queens, which is the progeny of a parent colony,
without a hive, and not a feral colony.
(13) "Disease" ((includes
but is not limited to)) means American foulbrood, European
foulbrood, chalkbrood, nosema, sacbrood, ((external and internal mites,))
or any other viral, fungal, bacterial or insect-related disease ((or any
condition)) affecting bees or their brood ((which may cause an epidemic;)).
(((11))) (14) "Regulated bee
pests" means a disease of bees for which maximum allowable limits of
infection, or mites, or other parasites are set in rule.
(15) "Hive" means ((any))
a manufactured receptacle or container ((made or)) prepared for
the use of bees, ((or box or other container taken possession of by bees,
including)) that includes movable frames, combs, ((or)) and
substances deposited into the hive by bees((;)).
(((12) "Location" means any
premises upon which an apiary is located;
(13))) (16)
"Person" ((includes any)) means a natural person,
individual, firm, partnership, company, society, association, ((or))
corporation((, but does not include any common carrier when engaged in the
business of transporting bees, hives, appliances, bee cages, or other
commodities subject to the provisions of this chapter, in the regular course of
business;
(14) "Inspector" means an apiary
inspector authorized by the director to inspect apiaries as provided in this
chapter)) or every officer,
agent, or employee of one of these entities.
(17) "Bee pests" means a disease,
mite, or other parasite that causes injury to bees.
(18) "Nets" means a device that is
made of fabricated material and that is designed and utilized to prevent the
escape of bees from bee hives during transit.
(19) "Apparently free" means no
specified bee pest was found during inspection of survey activities.
(20) "Substantially free" means
levels of specified bee pests found during inspection or survey activities were
within established tolerances.
(21) "Africanized honey bee" means
any bee of the subspecies Apis mellifera scutellata.
(22) "Super" means the portion of
a hive in which honey is stored by bees.
Sec. 2.
RCW 15.60.007 and 1988 c 4 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
((The apiary inspection fund shall be part
of the agricultural local fund. No appropriation is required for disbursements
from the apiary inspection fund.))
There is created within the department of
agriculture an apiary inspection program. The director shall: Provide
regulation and inspection services, assure availability of bee colonies for
pollination, facilitate the interstate movement of honey bees, promote improved
apicultural practices, combat bee pests that pose an economic threat to the
industry, and, in cooperation with the cooperative extension program of
Washington State University, provide education to promote the vitality of the
apiary industry.
Sec. 3.
RCW 15.60.010 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 s 16 are each amended to read as
follows:
((There is hereby created a division of
apiculture in the department of agriculture, which shall consist of the
director of agriculture and of such apiary inspectors as he may appoint. The
director shall receive no additional salary for performance of his duties under
this chapter but shall be paid travel expenses incurred in performing such
duties in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now existing or
hereafter amended.))
An apiary advisory committee is established
to advise the director on the administration of this chapter. The apiary
advisory committee may consist of up to eleven members.
(1) The committee shall include six
apiarists, appointed by the director, and representing the major geographical
divisions of the beekeeping industry in the state as established in rule. In
making an appointment, the director shall seek nominations from the beekeepers'
organizations within the geographic area and from nonaffiliated apiarists.
Apiarists may nominate themselves.
(2) The committee shall include the director
and a representative from the Washington State University apiary program or
cooperative extension.
(3) The committee may include up to three
representatives of receivers of pollination services.
(4) The terms of the apiarist members of the
committee shall be staggered and the members shall serve a term of three years
and until their successors have been appointed and qualified.
In the event a committee member resigns, is
disqualified, or vacates a position on the committee for any reason, the
vacancy shall be filled by the director under the provisions of this section.
(5) The committee shall meet at least once
yearly. It may also meet at the call of the director or the request of any
three members of the committee. Members of the committee shall serve without
compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in attending
meetings of the board and any other official duty authorized by the board and
approved by the director, pursuant to RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060, if apiarists
are charged a registration fee, under RCW 15.60.050, to cover the expenses of
the committee.
Sec. 4.
RCW 15.60.015 and 1988 c 4 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(((1) The director shall have the power on
his own motion or by petition of industry to promulgate and enforce such
reasonable rules, regulations, and orders as he may deem necessary or proper to
prevent the introduction or spreading of diseases affecting bees or appliances
in this state, and to promulgate and enforce such reasonable rules,
regulations, and orders as he may deem necessary or proper governing the
inspection of all bees and appliances within or about to be imported into this
state. Such rules may include establishment of:
(a) Standards of strength for colonies of bees
used for pollinating services;
(b) A beekeeper certification program for those
whose colony management systems consistently have only low levels of American
foulbrood;
(c) Identification for bee hives; and
(d) Maximum levels of American foulbrood which
would prohibit interstate movement of inspected colonies and the colony
conditions and inspection season under which such inspections will be
conducted.
(2) All rules, regulations, and orders under
this section shall be adopted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.))
(1) The director shall determine, with the
advice of the apiary advisory committee, if a bee pest represents a significant
threat to the apiary industry in the state and may by rule establish maximum
allowable levels for these bee pests, for movement of colonies into or within
Washington and prescribe procedures for inspection, treatment, or other
mitigation measures if such tolerances are exceeded.
(2) The director may inspect apiaries for
the presence of bee pests. To support the general health of the apiary
industry, the director may investigate outbreaks of any bee disease or
infestations of other pests, or bee losses suspected of being caused by
pesticides and other chemicals; and conduct surveys for the presence of or
levels of a bee pest.
(3) It is the responsibility of every
apiarist to perform or cause to be performed any acts necessary to control
regulated bee pests in the apiarist's bees or bee equipment where levels exceed
maximum allowable limits set in rule. If the director finds a hive in an
apiary to be infected or infested beyond maximum allowable limits by bee pests,
the director may cause the apiary to be quarantined.
(a) The director shall plainly mark the
hives containing regulated bee pests and shall, in writing, notify the apiarist
stating the disease or pest found in each hive, identifying the hive by
reference to the mark placed upon it, and ordering eradication of such disease
or pest as prescribed by the director within a specified time. When the
apiarist cannot be contacted immediately, the notice shall be served by placing
it conspicuously in the apiary, or by mailing a copy to the apiarist's
registered address. If the apiarist fails to take action to control the bee
pest in accordance with the notice, the director may control the bee pest or
cause the bee pest to be controlled.
(b) When the apiarist cannot be determined,
the notice shall be served by posting the notice conspicuously in the apiary.
Any apiary presenting an immediate threat of infestation or infection to other
apiaries may be impounded by the director and moved to a location where it no
longer poses an immediate threat of infestation or infection to other apiaries.
(c) The quarantine shall not be lifted until
such time as the director determines that the regulated bee pest has been
controlled. During the time the apiary is quarantined, no bees, honey, hives,
beekeeping equipment, or other material may be removed from the apiary without
written authorization from the director.
(4) A person who inspects an infected or
infested hive or knowingly comes in contact with a bee pest, shall, before
proceeding to another apiary, disinfect their person, clothing, gloves, tools,
and beekeeping equipment that have come in contact with infected or infested
bees or material.
(5) An apiarist whose apiary has been found
to be infected or infested by a regulated bee pest shall be entitled, upon
written request, to a scientific analysis of the infected or infested hive
before any action to control the bee pest is taken. The results of the
analysis shall be conclusive as to whether the apiary is infested or infected
with a regulated bee pest. The costs of scientific analysis shall be paid by
the apiarist if the apiary is found to be infested or infected. If the apiary
is found not to be infested or infected, the department shall pay the cost of
the scientific analysis. The laboratory performing the scientific analysis
shall be approved by the director.
(6) Except as provided in subsection (5) of
this section, the apiarist shall be responsible for all costs of the department
resulting from the quarantine or impoundment of an apiary or the control of a
bee pest.
(7) A person aggrieved by an order issued or
act taken by the director pursuant to this section is, upon application,
entitled to a review of that order or act pursuant to RCW 34.05.479. The
application shall serve to stay any order or action, other than a quarantine
order, pending the adjudicative proceeding.
Sec. 5.
RCW 15.60.020 and 1988 c 4 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(((1) The director shall have authority to
enter into reciprocal agreements with any and all states for the prevention or
spread of diseases affecting bees or appliances. The director shall appoint
one or more apiary inspectors as conditions may warrant, who shall, under his
direction:
(a) Have charge of the inspection of apiaries
and bees;
(b) Investigate outbreaks of bee diseases;
(c) Investigate bee losses suspected of being
caused by pesticides and other chemicals;
(d) Investigate bee losses or economic losses
as requested by industry;
(e) Perform colony strength inspections;
(f) Perform inspections for out-of-state
movement of bees or appliances;
(g) Inspect queen bee rearing apiaries;
(h) Conduct surveys in support of this chapter;
(i) Conduct the enforcement of quarantine
regulations as may be promulgated by the department;
(j) Conduct the enforcement of the provisions
of this chapter in relation to the eradication and control of bee diseases; and
(k) Perform any other such duties as the
director may prescribe.
(2) Such apiary inspector, or inspectors, shall
be paid such reasonable compensation as may be fixed by the director while so
employed and travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in
accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(3) Services or inspections requested by
industry shall only be performed for apiarists in compliance with this
chapter. The director shall charge the person requesting the inspector's
services all costs including per diem and travel expenses, with the proceeds to
be placed in the apiary inspection fund within the agricultural local fund.))
(1) Whenever the director finds an abandoned
hive, or a hive wherein the combs or frames are immovable or that are so
constructed as to impede or hinder inspection, and if the hive constitutes a
threat of infestation or infection by a bee pest to bees, the director may
impound the hive and remove it to a place of safety.
(2) The director shall make a reasonable effort
to identify the owner of the hive. If the owner of the hive can be determined,
the director shall notify the owner that a violation of this chapter exists.
The notice shall be in the same manner as that provided for bee pests and shall
specify the actions that the owner must take to eliminate the threat of
infestation or infection by bee pests to bees before the owner can take
possession of the hive. Failure of the owner to take the necessary action
within the time specified in the notice shall constitute abandonment, and the
director may take any action necessary to eliminate the threat of infestation
or infection to bees.
(3) If the owner of the hive cannot be
reasonably ascertained then the director shall provide for notice by
publication in a paper of general circulation at least once each week for two
consecutive weeks. Notice by publication need not be provided where the cost of
publication exceeds the value of the hive.
(4) Whenever the owner of the hive cannot be
determined, or can be determined but fails to take possession of the hive, the
director may sell or otherwise dispose of the hive.
(5) The owner of an abandoned hive is liable
for all costs of the department resulting from the impounding or sale of a hive
and any action taken to eliminate the threat of infestation or infection by a
bee pest to bees.
(6) A person aggrieved by an order issued or
act taken by the director pursuant to this section is, upon application,
entitled to a review of that order or act pursuant to RCW 34.05.479. The
application shall serve to stay any order or action pending the adjudicative
proceeding.
Sec. 6.
RCW 15.60.025 and 1988 c 4 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
((There is created in the department the
apiary advisory board, hereafter in this section referred to as the
"board", consisting of six members appointed by the director. The
members of the board shall be beekeepers representing the major geographical
divisions of the beekeeping industry in the state. Such geographical divisions
shall be determined by the director in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 34.05 RCW. In making the selection of the membership of the board, the
director shall take into consideration the recommendations of the beekeeping
industry.
The term of office of the members of the board
shall be three years. No person shall serve two successive terms as a member
of the board.
The director may appoint a department
representative as the secretary of the board.
The board shall be advisory to the director on
all matters relating to the beekeeping industry and may make recommendations on
all matters affecting the activities of the department in relation to the
beekeeping industry.
The board shall meet at the call of the
director or at the request of any three members of the board. It shall meet at
least once each year.
Each member of the board shall serve without
compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in attending
meetings of the board and any other official duty authorized by the board and
approved by the director in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060:
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the board shall be compensated only if apiarists are
charged a sufficient fee to cover the expenses of the apiary board.))
In addition to the powers conferred on the
director under other provisions of this chapter, the director shall have the
power to adopt rules with the advice of the apiary advisory committee and
pursuant to the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW:
(1) Specifying marking and identification
requirements for all hives of bees in the state of Washington including
resident colonies, migratory colonies registered in Washington, and colonies
brought into the state for pollination services;
(2) Establishing requirements for netting
and other handling of bees in transit;
(3) Prescribing bee breeding procedures and
standards to prevent Africanization and permitting importation pursuant to the
conditions set forth in RCW 15.60.140;
(4) Establishing standards for certification
of bees, bee hives, and beekeeping equipment including but not limited to:
(a) Standards of colony strength for hives
of bees for pollination services;
(b) Standards for queen bee production and
marketing;
(5) A beekeeper certification program that
may provide for decreased levels of inspection for those beekeepers whose
apiaries consistently have levels of disease within established tolerances;
(6) Establishing fees for inspection or
certification services;
(7) Conducting such activities as may be
otherwise necessary for carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 7.
RCW 15.60.030 and 1988 c 4 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
((Each person owning or having bees in his or
her possession shall register with the director the name, address, and phone
number of the owner, and identify the apiary as provided for herein, on or
before April 1st each year. A registration fee may be set by the department of
agriculture in compliance with chapter 34.05 RCW for the purpose of covering
the expenses of the apiary board, or otherwise at the request of the industry.
The fees shall be placed in the apiary inspection fund of the department.
The director shall issue to each apiarist owning
or operating more than twenty-five colonies in the state who is registered with
the department an apiarist identification number. Apiary locations shall be
identified by displaying the assigned identification number in at least four
inch characters on the side and top of some colonies in each apiary location.
The identification shall be in a color that contrasts with the color of the
hive. This identification shall be conspicuous to anyone approaching the
apiary location. Any apiarist owning or operating no more than twenty-five
colonies shall, when placing bees on other than his or her own property, place
his or her name and address so as to be conspicuous to anyone approaching the
apiary location.))
(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to
bring any packaged bees, queens, hives with or without bees, or other used
beekeeping equipment into this state for any purpose without first having
secured a certificate of inspection from the state of origin department of
agriculture, which shall be based on an official inspection, certifying
compliance with the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under this
chapter. New equipment without bees shall not be regulated.
(2) A copy of the certificate shall be sent
to the department by mail or telefax prior to shipment of hives with or without
bees, or equipment into the state and a copy shall accompany the shipment.
Queens and packaged bees are exempt from this subsection. The certificate
shall verify that the hives in a shipment are in compliance with the limits
established in rule for regulated bee pests, the state of origin, the number of
hives or description of other regulated items in the shipment, and the destination
of the shipment, including the name and complete address and phone number of the
person in charge of the apiary location at destination.
(3) Queen and package bee producers shall
provide the department a list of Washington destination shipments with names
and addresses of receivers by August 1st of each calendar year.
(4) Packaged bees, queens, hives with or
without bees, and beekeeping equipment found by the director to have been
imported in violation of this section may be held for inspection by the
department. Inspection costs shall be charged to the apiarist in charge of the
bees, hives, or equipment. Fees collected shall be placed in the apiary
inspection account established in RCW 15.60.040.
(5) A Washington registered apiarist who
obtains a valid inspection certificate and moves bees out of state for
wintering shall be allowed to return the bees to the state without an
additional inspection certificate provided that the bees are returned to the
state prior to May 15th each year.
Sec. 8.
RCW 15.60.040 and 1988 c 4 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
(((1) The director shall make or cause to be
made whenever the director deems it necessary, inspections of all apiaries.
(2) Whenever a disease exists in any apiary,
the inspector making the inspection may quarantine the apiary and shall plainly
mark the hives containing diseased bees. The inspector shall, in writing,
notify the owner or person in charge or in possession of such apiary, stating
in the notice the nature of the disease found in each colony, identifying such
colony by reference to the mark placed upon the hive thereof, and ordering
eradication of such disease in accordance with subsections (3) and (4) of this
section or as prescribed by the director within a specified time. When the
owner or person in charge or in possession of any apiary cannot be contacted
immediately, the notice shall be served by placing conspicuously in the apiary,
or by mailing a copy thereof to the owner's registered address.
(3) The owner or person in charge or in
possession of any diseased bees or hives must eradicate such disease within the
time specified in the notice. If the disease is American foulbrood, the time
specified in the notice shall not be less than twenty-four hours nor more than
one hundred and twenty hours from the time of serving the notice.
(4) The owner or person in charge or in
possession of any hive infected with American foulbrood shall eradicate such disease
by:
(a) Burning the diseased hive including bees,
combs, frames, honey, and wax, and burying the ashes by means approved by the
director; or
(b) Delivering the hive, comb intact, to a wax
salvage plant or fumigation chamber which has been authorized and designated by
the director as suitable for such purposes which shall disinfect the hive by
means approved by the director.
(5) Any apiary which is found infected with
disease and to be dangerous to the health of any apiary in this state may be
summarily quarantined by the department. Notice of the quarantine shall be
placed conspicuously in the apiary, and the owner notified of such quarantine.
The quarantine shall not be removed until the department reasonably determines
that no further infection exists. During the quarantine period, no bees,
honey, appliances, or other materials may be removed from the apiary without
first procuring a permit from the department.
(6) If the inspector finds that American
foulbrood disease has infected more than two hives of ninety-nine hives or
fewer, or more than two percent of hives of one hundred or more, the inspector
may, if he or she deems it necessary, make a complete inspection of all hives
in the apiary and the owner of the apiary shall pay the actual and necessary
costs of the complete inspection.
(7) The owner or operator of any colony of bees
found to be infected with American foulbrood shall upon his or her request be
entitled to a scientific analysis of such colony before it is declared a public
nuisance by the director. The results of such analysis shall be conclusive as
to whether the colony is diseased. The costs of such scientific analysis shall
be paid by the apiarist owning or operating the colonies being analyzed if it
is found to be diseased. In case the colony is found not to be diseased, the
department shall pay the cost of the scientific analysis. The laboratory
performing such scientific analysis shall be approved by the director.
A person who has inspected an infected apiary
or knowingly comes in contact with any diseased bees, shall, before proceeding
to another apiary, thoroughly disinfect his or her person, clothing, tools, and
appliances that have come in contact with any infected bees or material.))
There is established an apiary inspection
account within the agricultural local fund. All money collected under this
chapter including fees for requested services, required inspections, or
treatments, and registration fees shall be placed in the apiary inspection
account. No appropriation is required for disbursement from the apiary
inspection account.
Sec. 9.
RCW 15.60.042 and 1988 c 4 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
(((1) The following are declared a public
nuisance and in violation of this chapter:
(a) Any apiary in which American foulbrood is
found;
(b) Any hives wherein the combs or frames are
immovable or which are so constructed as to impede or hinder inspection;
(c) Any abandoned apiary; and
(d) Any colony of apis mellifera scutellata or
hybrid of that subspecies.
(2) The inspector shall give notice of such
violation in the manner provided in RCW 15.60.040. Whenever any such nuisance
exists and the owner refuses or fails to abate it within the time specified in
the notice, the department shall abate the nuisance. The owner shall pay the
actual and necessary costs of abatement, with the proceeds to be placed in the
apiary inspection fund of the department.
(3) Whenever the director finds that an apiary
has been abandoned and that the apiary constitutes a threat of disease to bees,
the director may seize and destroy the abandoned apiary. Before doing so,
however, the director shall make a reasonable effort to identify the owner of
the apiary and provide the owner with notice of the director's intent to seize
and destroy the apiary and with opportunity to take possession of the apiary
and eliminate the threat of disease. If ownership cannot be readily ascertained
and if the apiary is considered to have value, then the director shall provide
for notice by publication. However, notice by publication need not be provided
if the value is less than the publication costs. Whenever an owner reclaims an
abandoned apiary, the owner shall be liable for all costs of the department
resulting from the abandonment.))
A registered apiarist or other interested
party may request the services of an apiary inspector to provide inspection and
certification services to facilitate the movement of honey bees, bee hives, or
beekeeping equipment or to provide other requested services. The director shall
prescribe a fee for those services that shall, as closely as practical, cover
the full cost of the services rendered, including the salaries and expenses of
the personnel involved.
Sec. 10.
RCW 15.60.043 and 1988 c 4 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
((An apiarist or his or her pollination
customer may request the director to make a colony strength inspection of any
colony of bees. The director, subject to the availability of qualified
personnel, shall make such inspection but shall provide the apiarist with
advance notice, when possible, of the inspection date. A copy of the
inspection certificate shall be sent to the person requesting the inspection
and the apiarist within forty-eight hours of the colony strength inspection.
The colony strength requirement shall be
decided on a yearly basis by the director, in cooperation with the apiary
advisory board created by RCW 15.60.025.))
The inspection fees and other charges
provided in this chapter shall become due and payable upon billing by the
department. A late charge of one and one-half percent per month shall be
assessed on the unpaid balance against persons more than thirty days in
arrears. In addition to any other penalties, the director may refuse to perform
an inspection or certification service for a person in arrears unless the
person makes payment in full prior to such inspection or certification service.
Sec. 11.
RCW 15.60.050 and 1988 c 4 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
((Inspectors shall have access to all
apiaries and places where bees, hives, or appliances are kept, and it shall be
unlawful to resist, impede, or hinder such inspectors in the discharge of their
duties.))
Each person owning one or more hives with
bees shall register that ownership with the director on or before April 1st
each year.
(1) Registration application shall include
the name, address, and phone number of the owner, the number of colonies of
bees owned, and such registration fee as may be prescribed in rule under
subsection (2) of this section. The director shall issue to each apiarist
registered with the department an apiarist identification number. The
apiarist identification number shall be displayed on hives of an apiary in a
manner prescribed by the director in rule.
(2) A registration fee may be set in rule
by the director, with the advice of the apiary advisory committee. The fee
shall be used for covering the expenses of the apiary advisory committee and
may be used for supporting the apiary program of the department or funding
research projects of benefit to the apiary industry that the director may
select upon the advice of the apiary advisory committee.
Sec. 12.
RCW 15.60.100 and 1988 c 4 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
(((1) It shall be unlawful for any person or
common carrier to bring into this state for any purpose any bees or used
appliances, except empty used package bee cages, without first having secured
an official certificate, which shall be based on an inspection performed no
more than sixty days prior to movement (except by special permission from the
department) by the state bee inspector of the state of origin and an import
permit issued by the department. The import permit with specific requirements
may be obtained by mailing the original copy of the state of origin certificate
and a request for a permit to the apiary inspection division of the
department. Queen and package producers shall provide a list of Washington
destination shipments with names and addresses at the end of the shipping
season.
(2) The certificate shall contain, but not be
limited to, a statement that the shipment is not infected with American
foulbrood or other diseases regulated by the department and the state of origin
and shall specify all diseases noted at the time of inspection and the number
of colonies in the shipment. It shall also indicate the destination of the
apiary, giving the name and complete address or phone number of the apiarist in
charge of the apiary location at destination.
(3) A copy of the import permit shall accompany
the shipment into Washington. Bees and appliances found to have been imported
without compliance with this section may be summarily quarantined and inspected
by the department. Inspection costs, including per diem and travel expenses,
shall be charged to the apiarist in charge of the colonies. Fees collected
shall be placed in the apiary inspection fund of the department.
(4) Nets or other devices approved by the
director shall be required on all loads of hives containing bee colonies
entering or leaving the state to prevent the escape of bees during transit.
(5) Each apiary or location shall be marked for
identification by placing the name and address of the person importing the
bees, hives, or used appliances in letters at least one inch in height so as to
be conspicuous to anyone approaching the apiary location.
(6) If evidence of any disease is found, such
imported bees or appliances shall be subject to the same provisions as local
Washington bees or appliances.
(7) A resident beekeeper of Washington state
who obtains a valid inspection certificate and moves his or her bees out of
state for wintering may not be required to obtain an inspection certificate
from the state from which they are being returned, provided that the bees are
returned to the state prior to May 15th each year.
(8) A resident beekeeper of Washington state
who moves his or her bees out of state for summer pasture shall be required to
obtain an inspection certificate from that state prior to returning to
Washington, even though the bees may winter in a third state prior to returning
to Washington.))
In addition to the powers conferred on the
director under other provisions of this chapter, the director shall have the
power to:
(1) Cooperate with and enter into agreements
with governmental agencies of this state, other states, and agencies of the
federal government in order to carry out the purposes and provisions of this
chapter.
(2) Conduct educational or other programs in
cooperation with Washington State University cooperative extension to
enhance the welfare of Washington apiculture.
(3) Enter into compliance and other
agreements with persons engaged in apiculture, or handling, selling, or moving
of hives or beekeeping equipment.
(4) Do such things as may be necessary and
incidental to his or her functions pursuant to this chapter.
Sec. 13.
RCW 15.60.110 and 1988 c 4 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
((No person shall knowingly import into this
state any bees of the subspecies apis mellifera scutellata, or Africanized
honey bees, except for research purposes under permit from the director and
under conditions as set forth by the director.))
The director shall have access at reasonable
times to all apiaries and places where beekeeping equipment is kept to conduct
inspections for the presence of bee pests and to otherwise carry out the
purposes of this chapter. If the director is denied access, the director may
apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for a search warrant authorizing
access to the premises. The court may upon the showing of good cause issue the
search warrant for the purposes requested.
Sec. 14.
RCW 15.60.120 and 1988 c 4 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Every person rearing queen bees for
sale or use by another apiarist shall request each queen rearing apiary
be inspected ((when conditions are favorable for inspection. If the
inspection discloses any contagious or infectious disease in any apiary, the
apiarist shall not ship any queen bees therefrom until he or she receives a
certificate in writing from the inspector)) for the presence of disease
during active brood rearing. No person may ship queen bees from a queen
rearing apiary without a certificate of inspection certifying that such
apiary is apparently free from disease.
((No person)) (2) The apiarist
rearing queen bees ((for sale)) may ((use honey in making candy for
use in mailing cages unless the honey has been boiled for at least thirty
minutes)) be required to do so under procedures and standards as may be
established in rule for assuring freedom from bee pests and Africanized honey
bees.
Sec. 15.
RCW 15.60.140 and 1988 c 4 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
((Any person who violates any provisions of
this chapter shall have committed a class I civil infraction as provided in
chapter 7.80 RCW.))
(1) Africanized honey bees may be imported
into the state under the following conditions:
(a) Hybrids of Apis mellifera scutellata may
be permitted into Washington if they have been bred or certified for acceptable
behavior and approved by the director.
(b) Africanized honey bees or their hybrids
may be imported under terms and conditions established in permit for research
purposes.
(c) If the director, with concurrence from
the apiary advisory committee and after opportunity for one or more public
hearings, pursuant to adoption of rules:
(i) Finds that Africanized honey bees have
become widely established and that exclusion is no longer technically feasible;
and
(ii) Determines that deregulation is in the
best interest of Washington agriculture; and
(iii) Has approved a plan to mitigate the
impact of Africanized honey bees.
(2) If the director finds Africanized honey
bees or hybrids of Africanized honey bees that have been imported into the
state under circumstances other than those provided in subsection (1) of this
section, the director may impound and destroy or cause to be destroyed such
bees. The apiarist shall be entitled upon written request to a scientific
analysis under the terms provided in RCW 15.60.015. A person aggrieved by an
order issued or act taken by the director pursuant to this subsection is, upon
application, entitled to a review of that order or act pursuant to RCW
34.05.479. The application shall serve to stay an order or action pending the
adjudicative proceeding unless the director determines that the bees cannot be
impounded without presenting an imminent threat of Africanization to other bees
within the state.
Sec. 16.
RCW 15.60.150 and 1981 c 296 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
((No person shall)) It shall be
unlawful for a person to:
(1) Willfully or maliciously kill
honey bees in an apiary, or, for the purpose of injuring honey bees place any
poisonous or sweetened substance in a place where it is accessible to them
within this state((.
Any person who violates any provision of this
section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor)) except that bees in swarms or feral colonies may be
depopulated;
(2) Alter an official certificate or other
official inspection document for bees, hives, or beekeeping equipment covered
by this chapter or to represent a document as an official certificate where
such is not the case;
(3) Knowingly import into the state bees of
the subspecies Apis mellifera scutellata (Africanized honey bees) except as
provided in RCW 15.60.120;
(4) Resist, impede, or hinder the director
in the discharge of the director's duties and responsibilities under this
chapter;
(5) Fail to take prompt and sufficient
action to control regulated bee pests in excess of limits set in rule;
(6) Abandon a hive;
(7) Maintain a hive, except for educational
purposes, wherein the combs or frames are immovable or that is so constructed
as to impede or hinder inspection.
Sec. 17.
RCW 15.60.170 and 1991 c 363 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
((The county legislative authority of any
county with a population of from forty thousand to less than seventy thousand
located east of the Cascade crest and bordering on the southern side of the
Snake river shall have the power to designate by an order made and published,
as provided in RCW 15.60.190, certain territories as apiary coordinated areas
in which they may designate the number of colonies per apiary, the distance
between apiaries, the minimum required setback distance from property lines,
and/or the time of year the regulations shall be in effect. No territory so
designated shall be less than two square miles in area.))
(1) A person who violates or fails to comply
with any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule adopted under this
chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and for a second and each subsequent
violation a gross misdemeanor.
(2) Whenever the director finds that a
person has committed a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or
any rule adopted under this chapter and that violation has not been punished as
a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, the director may impose and collect a civil
penalty not exceeding one thousand dollars for each violation. Each violation
shall be a separate and distinct offense. A person who knowingly, through an
act of omission or commission, procures or aids or abets in the violation shall
be considered to have violated this section and may be subject to the civil
penalty.
Sec. 18.
RCW 15.60.180 and 1989 c 354 s 65 are each amended to read as follows:
When the county legislative authority
determines that it would be desirable to establish an apiary coordinated area
or areas in their county, they shall make an order fixing a time and place when
a hearing will be held, notice of which shall be published at least once each
week for two successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation within
the county. It shall be the duty of the county legislative authority at the
time fixed for such hearing, to hear all persons interested in the
establishment of apiary coordinated areas as defined in RCW ((15.60.170
through)) 15.60.180, 15.60.190, and 15.60.210.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 19.
The director may bring an action to enjoin the violation of any provision of
this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter in the superior court in
the county in which such violation occurs notwithstanding the existence of
other remedies at law.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 20.
The county legislative authority of any county with a population of from forty
thousand to less than seventy thousand located east of the Cascade crest and
bordering in the southern side of the Snake river shall have the power to
designate by an order made and published, as provided in RCW 15.60.190, certain
territories as apiary coordinated areas in which they may designate the number
of colonies per apiary, the distance between apiaries, the minimum required
setback distance from property lines, and the time of year the regulations
shall be in effect. No territory so designated shall be less than two square
miles in area.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 21.
RCW 15.60.200 and 1989 c 354 s 67 are each repealed.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 22.
Sections 19 and 20 of this act are each added to chapter 15.60 RCW.
