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WV HB4632

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/21/2026

Primary Sponsor

Henry Dillon

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Establishes that no municipality or political subdivision may prevent individuals from operating apiaries on property they own, rent, or lease, unless prohibited by existing contractual agreements
  • Changes bee registration from mandatory ("shall") to voluntary ("may"), allowing beekeepers to choose whether to register with the Commissioner of Agriculture
  • Requires the Commissioner of Agriculture to obtain permission from apiary owners before entering premises for inspections
  • Changes quarantine authority from mandatory to discretionary, limiting it to situations where bee pests present a clear hazard to humans, livestock, pets, ecosystems, or the public food supply
  • Requires the Commissioner to issue a public report within 30 days of any quarantine, detailing the hazard circumstances and remediation steps, posted on the department's website

Legislative Description

Right to Keep Bees

Agriculture

Last Action

To House Government Organization

1/21/2026

Committee Referrals

Government Organization1/21/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available