MN SF2727

Establishes compensation program for bee owners whose honeybees die from acute pesticide poisoning, covering cases where the pesticide applicator cannot be identified, applied pesticide per label instructions, or applied pesticide inconsistently with label instructions.

Limits compensation to $100 minimum and $20,000 maximum per fiscal year per bee owner, with bee owners required to register with a designated pesticide registry program to be eligible.

Requires pesticide applicators who violate label instructions and cause bee deaths to pay restitution directly to bee owners rather than receive state compensation, with penalties deposited to pesticide regulatory account.

Authorizes commissioner of agriculture to assemble a pollinator emergency response team of experts from state, local, federal agencies and academia to investigate pollinator deaths or illnesses.

Designates Minnesota Zoological Garden as the official state pollinator bank for breeding insurance populations; appropriates $100,000 in fiscal year 2015 for emergency response team operations and up to $150,000 annually for bee death compensation claims.