MS HB473

Prohibits municipalities, townships, cities, counties, and political subdivisions from enacting ordinances or covenants that limit or prohibit beekeeping operations, provided beekeepers comply with Section 69-25-101.

Requires all honeybees shipped or moved into Mississippi to be accompanied by an inspection certificate signed by a State Entomologist or corresponding official from the origin state or country.

Mandates inspection certificates certify that bees and their equipment are free from contagious and infectious diseases and parasites, based on inspection within 60 days of shipment.

Allows the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce to issue permits for bee shipments from states or countries without official apiary inspectors if suitable evidence shows the bees are disease-free.

Effective date: July 1, 2012.