BILL NUMBER: AB 2185	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Eggman
   (Principal coauthor: Senator Wolk)

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2014

   An act to add Section 29046.5 to the Food and Agricultural Code,
relating to bees.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2185, as introduced, Eggman. Bees: foraging: public lands.
   Existing law prohibits a person from locating or maintaining an
apiary on any public land without the expressed oral or written
approval of the entity which owns, leases, controls, or occupies the
land, as specified.
   This bill would require a public entity, on public lands it owns,
leases, controls, or occupies, to designate areas that may be used
for a person to locate or maintain an apiary for purposes of bee
foraging. The bill would also make findings and declarations related
to bee foraging. By requiring local public entities to designate
these areas, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Bee foraging on public lands is an important element for the
increase of native plants.
   (b) Bee foraging can enhance the goals of a public agency's land
management plans.
   (c) Bee foraging will enhance existing plant communities.
  SEC. 2.  Section 29046.5 is added to the Food and Agricultural
Code, to read:
   29046.5.  A public entity, on public lands it owns, leases,
controls, or occupies, shall designate areas that may be used for a
person to locate or maintain an apiary for purposes of bee foraging.
  SEC. 3.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.