BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2755
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Date of Hearing: March 30, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Bill Dodd, Chair
AB 2755
(Gallagher) - As amended March 28, 2016
SUBJECT: Agriculture: bees: civil remedies.
SUMMARY: This bill would provide increased civil penalties for
the destruction or thefts of beehives of three times the value
of the beehives and bees, plus compensation for time and money
replacing the bees.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Creates the Apiary Protection Act, which regulates bee
management and beekeepers and provides various enforcement and
penalty provisions for violating the act.
2)Allows for specific civil penalties for loss or damage to
property in numerous instances.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.
AB 2755
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COMMENTS: California has the largest beekeeping industry of any
state in the nation. Nearly three-quarters of the country's
documented commercial honeybee crop pollination is conducted in
California, adding over six billion dollars to the value of
California agricultural products. Nearly 500,000 colonies of
bees are operated by 400 commercial and semi-commercial
beekeepers. The state is also the leader in honey production.
The bee population has been decreasing due to Colony Collapse
Disorder and other factors associated with a lack of adequate
bee forage. This decline has increased the costs of pollination.
At the peak of the California pollination season beehive rental
can reach almost $200 per hive, which is five time the cost of
beehive rentals from a decade ago.
Recent news articles report the tightening of supply coincides
with an increased incidence of beehive thefts that is occurring
across the state. One beekeeper in Yuba City reported a loss
of beehives valued at $100,000, which includes both foregone
pollination income and the value of the hives. Since January 1,
2016, 1,734 hive thefts have been reported to the California
State Beekeepers Association.
AB 2755
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AB 2755 will provide for increased civil damages of three times
the value of bees that are stolen or damaged. Supporters
believe the increased civil penalties will dis-incentivize the
theft of bees and assist in restoring the losses of bee keepers.
Furthermore, supporters explain that AB 2755 is not without
precedent, pointing out that current law provides cattle owners
with damages in the amount of four times the value of their
cattle in addition to money expended in pursuit of the cattle,
and livestock owners are eligible to receive twice the value of
livestock killed by dogs from the dog's owner.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California State Beekeepers Association
California Farm Bureau Federation
Opposition
None on file.
AB 2755
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Analysis Prepared by:Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084