Report Title:

Apiculture

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for an apiculture (bee-keeping) program.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3038

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR AN APICULTURE PROGRAM.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Apiculture – the commercial raising of bees – is a small but potentially significant part of Hawaii's economy. Bees are not raised just for their honey and wax and as pollinators for the Hawaii market, but for export to Canada and the mainland, where mites and interbreeding with the aggressive African bees have devastated apicultural enterprises in the last five years.

The industry needs are uncomplicated and relatively modest. The need exists for extension services (education, promotion, and demonstration), targeted research (local pollination requirements, cover-forage crops for packaged bees), cooperative facilities for the processing of hive products, low-cost access to state land for apiaries, and educational activities. It is estimated that Hawaii's current apiaries gross about $3,500,000 annually, and that this amount could double or triple with state assistance.

The intent of this Act is to appropriate funds to support the growth of Hawaii's apiculture industry.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for the provision for extension services, targeted research, low-cost access to state land for apiaries, cooperative facilities for processing of hive products, and educational activities for the apiculture industry.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:

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