The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to establish the West Virginia Apiary Act, which clarifies that apiaries are recognized as protected agricultural operations. It includes a series of findings by the Legislature that highlight the significant decline of pollinators, particularly honeybees, and emphasizes the importance of protecting these species for the state's agricultural economy and food security. The findings also assert that beekeeping has a positive economic impact and is essential for increasing pollinator populations that support agricultural practices.

Key changes in the bill include the renaming of the article from "Inspection and Protection of Agriculture" to "The West Virginia Apiary Act" and the insertion of specific findings regarding the importance of pollinators and beekeeping. The bill states that beekeeping and apiaries are to be regulated as agricultural operations by the Commissioner of Agriculture, thereby reinforcing their status within the agricultural sector.

Statutes affected:
Originating in Committee: 19-13-1, 19-13-3