BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1259
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Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
1259 (Levine) - As Amended April 29, 2015
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Urgency: Yes State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This urgency bill authorizes the Department of Fish and Wildlife
(DFW) to allow the temporary placement of bee hives on
department-managed wildlife areas through agreements.
Specifically, this bill:
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1)Allows DFW to authorize the temporary placement of bee hives
on department-managed wildlife areas through simple agreements
specifying appropriate conditions. Provides that these
agreements are not contracts or leases for purposes of
competitive bidding or other provisions relating to public
contracts.
2)Allows DFW to continue any authorization for apiculture (the
keeping of bees) on department-managed areas that it granted
before January 1, 2015 without taking further action.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor, absorbable costs.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, this bill builds upon and
furthers policy approved by the Legislature last year to
facilitate foraging opportunities for bees on state lands.
This bill provides clarifications on issues that have arisen
in the implementation of that policy
2)Background. Last year, AB 2185 (Eggman, Chapter 338) was
enacted to encourage DFW to increase opportunities for bee
hives to be placed on state wild lands. AB 2185 required DFW
to consider permitting bee hives on department-managed
wildlife areas as deemed appropriate by the department. DFW
is required to determine where lands suitable for apiculture
are located when developing or updating its land management
plans. AB 2185 authorized DFW to consult with apiculture
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experts and charge appropriate fees.
DFW's interprets AB 2185 to require all requests to be
competitively bid and approved by the Department of General
Services. Such a process could take months and may not be
completed in time to meet the seasonal needs of bee keepers
for foraging lands.
This bill clarifies issues so past and future agreements may
go forward.
3)The Value of Bees. Bees pollinate billions of dollars of
agricultural crops in the United States, and are essential for
pollination of many of California's most important
agricultural foods. Bees are also at significant threat due
to a condition called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). More
than 25% of the managed bee population has disappeared in the
last 25 years, and the number of hives in commercial
production is at its lowest in 50 years. CCD and the loss of
bees pose significant threats to our state and national food
supply and economic security.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
AB 1259
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