What's happening
This bill requires pesticide applicators to attempt relocating honey bee colonies with assistance before extermination, prioritizing preservation.
Why it matters
Increases Protection for Pollinators. By mandating relocation efforts before extermination, the bill aims to preserve honey bee populations, which are critical for crop pollination and ecosystem health. This can help mitigate the ongoing decline of bees due to pesticide use and habitat loss.
Creates a Formal Relocation Process. The legislation establishes a clear protocol for pesticide applicators, requiring them to first seek assistance from the state’s division of plant industry or local beekeepers before destroying any honey bee colonies. This adds accountability and a standardized response to bee-related complaints.
Could Affect Pest Control Timelines and Costs. Applicators may face added steps and potential delays, as they must wait at least 24 hours and attempt beekeeper contact before proceeding with extermination. This could increase operational costs or require greater coordination, especially in urgent or large-scale situations.
Fosters Collaboration with Beekeepers. By involving local beekeepers and referencing swarm collectors listed by county, the bill encourages stronger ties between professional applicators and the beekeeping community, potentially aiding public education and bee conservation efforts.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Save Honey Bee Colonies
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8704
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
October 23, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the preservation of honey bee colonies
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new article 15-B to read as follows:
ARTICLE 15-B
PRESERVATION OF HONEY BEE COLONIES Section 175-v. Relocating honey bee colonies.
§ 175-v. Relocating honey bee colonies. 1. To preserve honey bee colonies in the state, any person including certified and licensed responsible pesticide applicators and commercial pesticide applicators and operators operating in the state shall contact the division of plant industry of the department by phone at least twenty-four hours in advance of extermination of honey bees to obtain assistance in trying to relocate nuisance honey bee colonies or hanging swarms of honey bees, in lieu of destroying such honey bees. Honey bees shall not be destroyed without prior approval from such division.
2. In the event the division of plant industry is not reachable, any person including certified and licensed responsible pesticide applicators and commercial pesticide applicators and operators shall attempt to contact no fewer than three beekeepers identified by the local beekeeping association found on the department's website as swarm collectors servicing the affected county, in order to obtain assistance in relocating nuisance honey bee colonies or hanging swarms before nuisance honey bee colonies or hanging swarms of honey bees may be destroyed.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13902-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.