HB866 Summary

• Allows beekeepers to register with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture on forms prescribed by the department, including name, address, contact information, and other industry-relevant data.

• Requires the department to keep registration information confidential under Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 92F, except that registrants' names and business addresses shall be made publicly available.

• Permits the department to compile statistics based on registration data to track Hawaii's beekeeping industry production, including queen bee production.

• Establishes an apiary program within the Department of Agriculture consisting of one apiary specialist, one apiary planner, and two apiary technicians.

• Requires the department to report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2013 regular session on the effectiveness of the registration system and any recommendations for amendments.