West Virginia SB927: Clarifying Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to regulate bees

What the bill says

To amend and reenact §19-13-1, §19-13-2, §19-13-3, §19-19-4, and §19-19-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to agricultural production; providing legislative findings relating to the West Virginia Apiary Act; defining terms; clarifying exclusivity of commissioner of agriculture's authority to regulate bees, bee equipment, and apiaries; and clarifying when legal proceedings may be maintained against certain owners or operators of agricultural land or agricultural operations. Article 13. inspection and protection of agriculture The west virginia apiary act. §19-13-1.

From the introduced text, February 12, 2026:

A BILL to amend and reenact §19-13-1, §19-13-2, §19-13-3, §19-19-4, and §19-19-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to agricultural production; providing legislative findings relating to the West Virginia Apiary Act; defining terms; clarifying exclusivity of commissioner of agriculture's authority to regulate bees, bee equipment, and apiaries; and clarifying when legal proceedings may be maintained against certain owners or operators of agricultural land or agricultural operations. Article 13. inspection and protection of agriculture The west virginia apiary act. §19-13-1. Short title; legislative findings. (a) This article may be cited shall be known as "The West Virginia Apiary Act". (b) The Legislature finds and declares that: (1) Pollinators such as honey bees have been in drastic decline in this state and nationwide for several decades. (2) Protecting pollinators, including but not limited to honey bees, is of critical importance to building and maintaining the state's economy, specifically with respect to agricultural operations that rely on pollinators. (3) The practice of beekeeping has had a positive economic impact on this state and on the food security of the state's residents. (4) The private keeping and maintaining of honey bee colonies in apiaries by citizens of this state is critical to increasing pollinator populations, which will in turn strengthen the state's agricultural operations. Therefore, it is in the best …

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