MINUTES OF THE HOUSE

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT

STANDING COMMITTEE

Room 445, State Capitol

February 17, 2016

Members Present:                Rep. Lee B. Perry, Chair

                                                Rep. Douglas V. Sagers, Vice Chair

                                                Rep. Joel K. Briscoe

                                                Rep. Melvin R. Brown

                                                Rep. Scott H. Chew

                                                Rep. Susan Duckworth

                                                Rep. Stephen G. Handy

                                                Rep. Timothy D. Hawkes

                                                Rep. Mike K. McKell

                                                Rep. Michael E. Noel

                                                Rep. Derrin Owens

                                                Rep. Kraig Powell

                                                Rep. Scott D. Sandall

                                                Rep. Mike Schultz      

Staff Present:                        J Brian Allred, Policy Analyst

An Bradshaw, Committee Secretary

NOTE:     A list of visitors and handouts are filed with committee minutes

Chair Perry called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m.

H.B. 115         Beekeeping Modifications (Rep. M. Roberts)

Rep. Roberts explained the bill to the committee with the assistance of Stan Moulton, beekeeper, and provided an overhead presentation. Joey Caputo, entomologist, Department of Agriculture and Food, answered questions from the committee.

MOTION:     Rep. Schultz moved to amend the bill as follows:

1, Lines 11 through 17

11   This bill:

12   ►      amends bee raising registration requirements;  

       ► addresses mosquito abatement district liability;  

13   ►      amends county bee inspector duties;

14   ►      modifies inspection provisions;

15   ►      provides for bee raising restrictions under certain circumstances;

16   ►      prohibits a political subdivision from adopting an ordinance, rule, regulation, or

17resolution prohibiting a property owner from establishing or maintaining {  an apiary  }  certain apiaries  ;

1.    Page 3, Lines 63 through 64:   

63registration on or before December 31 of each year.  

       (2) A mosquito abatement district, subject to the provisions of Chapter 2a, Part 7, Mosquito Abatement District Act, is not liable for damages to a beekeeper for bees damaged as a result of an aerosol spray applied to reduce a mosquito population.  

64    {  (2)  }  (3)  (a) A person may not operate a wax-salvage plant without a license issued by the

2.    Page 6, Lines 178 through 181:      

178 4-11-18. Prohibition of beekeeping by a political subdivision.

179  {  A  }  (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a  political subdivision may not adopt an ordinance, rule, regulation, or resolution

180prohibiting a property owner from establishing or maintaining an apiary on the property

181owner's property.  

       (2) A political subdivision may adopt an ordinance, rule, regulation, or resolution prohibiting a person from locating an apiary of migratory bees within the boundaries of the political subdivision. 

The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Briscoe and Rep. Powell absent for the vote.

Spoke against the bill:

                                   James Peirce, citizen

                                   Sammie Dickson, Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement

                                   Alex Grover, Utah Sustainable Gardening

                                   Casey Lofthouse, citizen

                                   Kurt Stembridge, citizen 

MOTION:     Rep. McKell moved to pass the bill out favorably as amended.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION:   Rep. Noel moved to hold the bill. The motion passed with Rep. Chew, Rep. Duckworth, Rep. McKell, and Rep. Schultz voting in opposition and Rep. Briscoe and Rep. Powell absent for the vote.

H.B. 315         Bee Keeping Amendments (Rep. K. McIff)

Rep. McIff explained the bill to the committee with the assistance of Jim Jones, Mountain Springs Honey Company, and Darren Cox, President, American Honey Producers Association. "Subjects for Consideration" handout was provided to the committee. LuAnn Adams, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture and Food, and Joey Caputo, entomologist, Department of Agriculture and Food, answered questions from the committee.

Spoke for the bill:       Brian Stephenson, Stephenson Honey

                                   Kurt Stembridge, HK Stembridge, LLC

Spoke against the bill:

                                   Rob Bliss, Bliss Honey

                                   Doug Rowley, fruit growers of Utah County

                                   James Peirce, citizen

                                   Alex Grover, Utah Sustainable Gardening

                                   Casey Lofthouse, citizen

                                   Jerry Anderson, J Beebiz

                                   Sinead Hogan McSweeney, citizen

MOTION:     Rep. Noel moved to hold the bill. The motion passed unanimously with

                       Rep. Briscoe and Rep. Powell absent for the vote.

MOTION:     Rep. Duckworth moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Briscoe and Rep. Powell absent for the vote.

Chair Perry adjourned the meeting at 9:59 a.m.

Lee B. Perry, Chair