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2012 SESSION


CHAPTER 473
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 3.2 sections numbered 3.2-4415 and 3.2-4416, relating to the Beehive Grant Program.
[S 354]
Approved March 30, 2012

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 3.2 sections numbered 3.2-4415 and 3.2-4416 as follows:

§ 3.2-4415. Beehive Grant Fund.

From such funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly and any gifts, grants, or donations from public or private sources, there is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting, permanent fund to be known as the Beehive Grant Fund (the Fund), to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of each fiscal year, including interest thereon, shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund, which shall be in the form of grants, shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon the written request signed by the Commissioner. Grants from the Fund shall only be made to applications to the Beehive Grant Program pursuant to § 3.2-4416.

§ 3.2-4416. Beehive Grant Program.

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Fund" means the Beehive Grant Fund established pursuant to § 3.2-4415.

"Grant" means a grant issued pursuant to the Beehive Grant Program.

"Individual" means a beekeeper registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

B. Beginning January 1, 2013, any individual who either purchases a new hive or purchases materials or supplies to construct a new hive may apply for a grant from the Fund. Such grant shall be in an amount equal to $200 per new hive, not to exceed $2,400 per individual per year.

C. An individual shall apply to the Department for a grant for purchase or construction of new hives. Grants shall be issued in the order that each completed eligible application is received. In the event that the amount of eligible grants requested in a fiscal year exceeds the funds available in the Fund, such grants shall be paid in the next fiscal year in which funds are available.

D. The Department shall develop guidelines setting forth the general requirements of qualifying for a grant.

E. The Department shall compile, maintain, and distribute electronically a Virginia Beekeeping Guide to provide information to beekeepers on beekeeping.