SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 2646

                      AS OF MARCH 4, 1994

Brief Description:  Modifying apiary regulation.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Rayburn, Foreman, Hansen, Chandler, Grant and Lisk)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

BOOSTED TO SECOND READING

Staff:  Bob Lee (786‑7404)

BACKGROUND:

One of the statutory duties of the Department of Agriculture is the administration of an apiary inspection program.  Under this program, the director of the Department of Agriculture must provide regulation and inspection services, assure availability of bee colonies for pollination, facilitate the interstate movement of honey bees, promote improved agricultural 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.  Registration and inspection fees and other charges levied under the program are deposited in the apiary inspection account within the agricultural local fund. 

Funding for the program was not provided as part of the department's portion of the 1993-95 budget. 

SUMMARY:

The apiary inspection program is renamed the industry apiary program.  A fee is established on the use of bee pollination services by growers of agricultural crops.  The fee applies when growers receive such services from others and is in the amount of 50 cents for each setting of a hive used by the grower.  The fee is paid by the grower, collected by the beekeeper, remitted to the department, and deposited in the apiary inspection account.  This account is renamed the industry apiary program account.  Revenues from these fees must be used to provide services to the apiary industry which assist in ensuring the vitality and availability of bees for commercial pollination services for the agricultural industry.

Persons, called brokers, who pollinate crops using hives that are owned by others must register with the director of the Department of Agriculture annually and pay an annual registration fee.  It is the same fee that applies, under current law, to the owners of beehives.  Beekeepers resident in other states who operate hives in Washington must also register and pay the registration fee.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  available