SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5922

BYSenators Barr and Hansen

Authorizing counties to establish apiary coordinated areas.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 14, 1989; February 16, 1988

Senate Staff:John Stuhlmiller (786-7446)

AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Concern has been raised regarding the number of honey bees in the Walla Walla area and the possibility of their impacting the pollination of alfalfa for seed production.  At the present time, the only third class county east of the Cascades and bordering on the southern side of the Snake River is Walla Walla County.

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

SUMMARY:

Third class counties east of the Cascades and south of the Snake River are authorized to designate apiary coordinated areas in which 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 may be established.

When the legislative authority of a county wishes to establish an apiary coordinated 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 coordinated 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 coordinated 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 coordinated area shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested