BILL ANALYSIS
By: Orr
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, a beekeeper does not need to have a pest control license to remove, collect, or destroy honey bees as long as the bees are not attached to a public dwelling or structure. Also, the beekeeper must be registered with the pest control board and chief apiary inspector and is prohibited from using pesticides or electrical devices other than conventional bee smokers or other equipment allowed by law.
CSHB 820 will allow beekeepers to not have to register with the pest control board and collect, remove, or destroy honey bees that are attached to a public structure or dwelling in order to qualify for an exemption under the Texas Structural Pest Control Act.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
CSHB 820 removes the requirements that beekeepers who wish to be exempt from the Texas Structural Pest Control Act must register with the pest control board and collect, remove or destroy honey bees that are not attached to a public structure or dwelling.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute is a legislative council draft with a slightly modified caption. Also, the substitute restores the requirement for beekeepers to register with the chief apiary inspector. It also restores language that beekeepers must remove, collect, or destroy honey bees to qualify for an exemption from the Structural Pest Control Act.