Senate Wants Bees To Fly Under Control Of Ag Commissioner

Even West Virginia senators can’t tell honeybees where to go, whether they’re swarming an ice cream shop or a backyard pool. But Senate Bill 927 would put hives across the state under the control of one person: the West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner. 

“Putting a six-foot fence, eight-foot fence, 20-foot fence, is not going to stop a honey bee. There is nothing you can do to prevent a honeybee from traveling. It is a force of nature,” said Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson County, during floor debate Tuesday. 

“This is about ensuring that our honeybee population is protected and that we are pro-business in the state of West Virginia, for a business that is very much an important business to the state,” Rucker added.

Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, opposed the bill, favoring local control. 

“When you put billions of dollars on the risk of one person having statewide authority to block or permit people, you want to shut down an economy? Keep passing legislation like this before us now. That’s how you do it,” Tarr said. “I urge a no vote.”

Pollinators have been in sharp decline for decades – and that impacts agriculture across the state. Sen. Craig Hart, R-Mingo, pleaded with his colleagues to vote in favor of the bill.

“We need this bill. We have a patchwork of regulations that beekeepers are having a hard time understanding,” Hart said.

“We have mites that are collapsing colonies. We need the Agriculture Commissioner’s authority and expertise to help. We need this bill. Please pass it.”

The bill passed 25-9 and heads now to the House of Delegates for consideration.