[Approved by Governor September 15, 2014. Filed with Secretary of State September 15, 2014.]
AB 2185, Eggman. Bees: apiculture: state-owned 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 that owns, leases, controls, or occupies the land, as specified.
This bill would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to consider permitting apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas. The bill would require the department, when developing or amending its land management plans, to make certain determinations relating to the use of the department-managed wildlife areas for apiculture. The bill would authorize the department to consult with specified entities for permitting apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas consistent with the respective management goals and objectives for those areas, and would provide for the deposit of use or permit fees for apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 1745.2 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to read:
(a) The department shall do both of the following:
(1) Consider permitting apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas, where deemed appropriate by the department.
(2) Determine, when developing or amending its land management plans, the following:
(A) If the department-managed wildlife areas, or any portion of the those areas, are suitable for apiculture and whether apiculture is consistent with the management goals and objectives for those areas on a temporary, seasonal, or long-term basis.
(B) If the administration of apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas, where deemed appropriate by the department, is meeting the management goals and objectives for those areas.
(C) The appropriate use or permit fee to be assessed for conducting apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas.
(b) The department, in implementing this section, may consult with apiculture experts, including, but not limited to, the Department of Food and Agriculture, the University of California, other academic or professional experts, and interested stakeholders, for permitting apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas consistent with the respective management goals and objectives for those areas.
(c) Moneys collected for conducting apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall be deposited by the department into the Wildlife Restoration Fund and, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be used to support the management, maintenance, restoration, and operation of department-managed wildlife areas.
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