BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2185
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2185 (Eggman)
As Amended April 23, 2014
Majority vote
AGRICULTURE 7-0 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Eggman, Olsen, Lowenthal, |Ayes:|Gatto, Bigelow, |
| |Dahle, Pan, Quirk, Yamada | |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian |
| | | |Calderon, Campos, |
| | | |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, |
| | | |Holden, Jones, Linder, |
| | | |Pan, Quirk, |
| | | |Ridley-Thomas, Wagner, |
| | | |Weber |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Directs the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and
the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to encourage
apiculture (beekeeping) on lands each department respectively
manages when developing or amending land use plans or with
respect to idle or right-of-way lands; and, requires each
department to maximize the coexistence and minimize the conflict
between beekeeping and other public land uses, and ensure the
state receives appropriate compensation for the use of
state-owned lands.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, likely General Fund costs, in the range of $200,000,
to DFW and Caltrans, to develop management plans and conduct
public outreach with respect to eligible lands; while there is a
potential offset, at least in part, by beekeeping fee revenue.
COMMENTS : Bee populations have been declining for many years
due to multiple causes, and when combined, appear to create a
potential catastrophic impact, which has become known as Colony
Collapse Disorder (CCD). The Assembly Agriculture and
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committees, held a
joint informational hearing on "Bee CCD" in October 2013. Bees
are essential for the pollination of many native plants, as well
as commercial crops. Testimony presented at that hearing
emphasized that additional foraging lands is a principal need
AB 2185
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for bees, to assist in keeping a healthy colony population in
California.
This bill is an effort to create more foraging opportunities for
California beekeepers by directing two state entities to
encourage beekeeping on the lands they control. The author's
objective is to provide beekeepers access to state lands for the
purpose of bee foraging.
DFW is required to develop management plans for lands within its
jurisdiction and submit those plans to public review in order to
reduce potential conflicts with neighboring land users. DFW is
permitted to lease its managed lands for agricultural
activities, where consistent with the purpose for which the
lands were acquired and the DFW's management plans.
Caltrans is allowed to lease to public or private agencies the
use of areas, subject to conditions necessary to ensure adequate
protection and safety of highway facilities and adjacent land
uses. Lands leased to private entities must be subjected to
competitive bidding in most cases.
Analysis Prepared by : Jim Collin / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084
FN: 0003625