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NY S00494
Bill
Status
1/8/2025
Primary Sponsor
Nathalia Fernandez
Click for details
AI Summary
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Requires any person, including pesticide applicators, to contact the Department of Agriculture and Markets' Division of Plant Industry at least 48 hours before exterminating honey bees to seek relocation assistance
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Prohibits destruction of honey bees without prior approval from the Division of Plant Industry
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If the Division is unreachable, requires contacting at least three beekeepers listed as swarm collectors on Cornell University's website for the affected county before destroying honey bees
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Exempts situations where a swarm poses imminent danger to any person or where a beekeeper must use insecticide due to aggressive or diseased bees
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Requires pesticide applicators to indemnify and hold harmless the State of New York in any action arising from honey bee relocation efforts
Legislative Description
Requires any person including certified and licensed responsible pesticide applicators and commercial pesticide applicators and operators operating in the state to contact the division of plant industry of the department of agriculture and markets by phone at least forty-eight hours in advance of extermination of honey bees to obtain assistance in trying to relocate nuisance honey bee colonies or hanging swarms of honey bees, in lieu of destroying such honey bees; makes related provisions.
Last Action
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
1/7/2026