The bill amends section 909.02 of the Revised Code and enacts a new section, 909.021, to impose restrictions on the establishment of commercial apiaries in Ohio. Under the amended section 909.02, individuals owning or possessing bees must register their apiaries with the director of agriculture by June 1 each year or within thirty days of acquiring bees. The director will issue an initial registration only if the proposed apiary meets specific requirements outlined in the new section 909.021. Additionally, apiaries must be registered and identifiable by a name or identification number assigned by the director.

The newly enacted section 909.021 prohibits the establishment of a new apiary within three miles of an existing registered apiary unless certain conditions are met, such as obtaining permission from the existing apiary owner or ensuring the new apiary is not for commercial use. Exceptions to this rule include apiaries maintained solely for personal or recreational purposes and those used for pollinating actively flowering crops. The bill also repeals the existing section 909.02, streamlining the regulations surrounding apiary registration and location.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 909.02