SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5860

BYSenators Barr and Hansen

Establishing apiary restricted areas.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 14, 1989

Senate Staff:John Stuhlmiller (786-7446)

AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Concern has been raised regarding the number of honey bees in certain areas of the state and the possibility of their impacting the pollination of certain crops.

No specific authority exists which would allow counties to restrict the number of apiaries in a region.

SUMMARY:

Counties are authorized to designate apiary restricted areas in which the number of colonies and/or queens per apiary, the distance between apiaries, the minimum required setback distance from property, and/or the time of year the regulations shall be in effect may be established.

When the legislative authority of a county wishes to establish an apiary restricted area, they shall hold a public hearing on the subject.  Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be published at least once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the county prior to the hearing.

Within thirty days of the conclusion of a hearing, the county legislative authority shall make an order describing the apiary restricted area or areas within the county.  The order shall be entered upon the records of the county and published in a newspaper of general circulation at least once each week for four successive weeks.

The boundary or boundaries of any apiary restricted area may be changed through the hearing process used to establish apiary restricted areas.

Any person in violation of the provisions of an order establishing an apiary restricted area shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested