STAND. COM. REP. NO.  405

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 866

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 866 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to establish registration requirements for beekeepers. 

     Two concerned individuals opposed this bill.  The Office of Information Practices and the Department of Agriculture (DOA) submitted comments.

     Your Committee notes that testimony submitted by DOA includes the intent of the Department with respect to the registration provisions.  DOA seeks to:

     (1)  Create a database of beekeepers and their contact information;

     (2)  Identify where beekeepers' hives are located;

     (3)  Survey bee colonies to develop a picture of bee pests and diseases existing in the State to develop management strategies;

     (4)  Survey bee colonies to quickly identify new bee pests for rapid response to control new bee pests and diseases by working in collaboration with beekeepers, beekeeping associations, and affected industries;

     (5)  Improve communication between beekeepers and DOA;

     (6)  Provide assistance in connecting beekeepers with growers; and

     (7)  Provide guidance to participants in the program on the maintenance of healthy bee colonies, including integrated pest management programs.

     In light of concerns raised in testimony, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Allowing instead of requiring beekeepers to register with DOA;

     (2)  Requiring that the name and business address of each registrant be made publicly available;

     (3)  Reducing the registration period to one year from three years; 

     (4)  Deleting provisions specifically requiring the inclusion of the following information for registration purposes:

          (A)  The tax map parcel number of each parcel used for bee colonies and honey production; and

          (B)  The number of bee colonies and the number of queens;

     (5)  Inserting an appropriation to establish an apiary program in DOA; and

     (6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 866, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 866, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair