SB3343

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that bees are beneficial to local pollination processes and native ecosystems and play a critically important role in agriculture as they pollinate food crops and provide other useful products, including honey and wax. The legislature further finds that annual estimates value the activities of pollinating bees at approximately $212,000,000, and in 2021, Hawaiian honey was valued at $3,100,000 for pounds of honey produced per colony. Hawaii's tropical weather, climate, and plant diversity present ideal conditions for the year-round breeding of queen bees, which may be exported to ensure a more genetically diverse, adaptive, and resilient global bee stock.

The legislature further finds that the department of agriculture currently manages and monitors the beekeeping industry in the State. The regulation of this industry relies on the implementation of scientific, evidence-based practices, regular monitoring efforts, open communication with beekeepers, and education in the efforts to prevent the spread of invasive or diseased bees in the State. Although the honeybee is not a species native to Hawaii, it has played a significant role in the pollination of plants that support agriculture in the State.

Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to require beekeepers to adhere to certain industry standards and best management practices in the keeping of bees.

SECTION 2. Section 142-100, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§142-100 Beekeepers, registration; apiary program.[]] (a) Beekeepers may register with the department of agriculture, on forms prescribed and prepared by the department, which shall include the following information:

(1) The name, address, and contact information for the beekeeper; and

(2) Other information that may assist the department in compiling accurate information on Hawaii's beekeeping industry.

(b) The department of agriculture shall keep registration information confidential subject to the limitations on confidentiality imposed under chapter 92F; provided that the name and business address of each registrant shall be made publicly available by the department; and provided further that the department may compile statistics based on the information, pursuant to section 141-1.

(c) The registration shall be effective for a period of one year, and shall be renewed at the end of the one-year period.

(d) Beekeepers shall adhere to industry standards and best management practices as set forth in this subsection:

(1) Beekeepers shall keep colonies at least twenty-five feet from property lines; provided that a distance between ten and twenty-five feet shall be adequate if:

(A) Beekeepers ensure that colonies face the direction opposite the property line; or

(B) Beekeepers situate colonies behind a flyover barrier that directs bee flight paths away from the property line;

(2) Beekeepers shall keep colonies in hives with removable frames that shall be kept in sound and usable condition;

(3) Beekeepers shall maintain an adequate and accessible supply of fresh water on-site, including landing sites for the bees to drink from;

(4) Beekeepers shall ensure that hives are protected from bright lights at night;

(5) Beekeepers shall manage colonies in a controlled manner to prevent swarming;

(6) Beekeepers shall adhere to storage and sanitation practices that prevent disease and theft; mitigate pests, including small hive beetles, wax moths, and varroa mites; and support the overall health of the hives;

(7) Beekeepers shall thoroughly clean reused hive and beekeeping equipment of hive products, including old comb and honey;

(8) Beekeepers shall grow flowers and plant species for all seasons that are suitable for regional climates to support bee activity year-round; and

(9) Beekeepers shall requeen hives and colonies if the apiary begins to demonstrate more aggressive behavior.

[~~(d)~~] (e) The department of agriculture shall establish an apiary program, which [~~may~~] shall include the following positions, to carry out the purposes of this [[]section[]]:

(1) One apiary specialist;

(2) One apiary planner; and

(3) Two apiary technicians.

(f) As used in this section:

"Apiary" means the assembly of one or more managed colonies of bees and their housing kept at a single location.

"Bee" means all life stages of the common domesticated European honeybee. "Bee" does not include wasps, hornets, African subspecies, or Africanized hybrids.

"Colony" means an aggregate of bees consisting principally of workers, but ideally also consists of one queen, and includes drones, brood, combs, and honey.

"Disease" means any condition adversely affecting bees or their brood, including bacteria, viruses, invertebrate pests, and the presence of undesirable genetic characteristics.

"Flyover barrier" means a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation, or combination thereof that encourages bees to fly over rather than fly through.

"Hive" means a structure of housing for a bee colony."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3343
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII