VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

• Code of Virginia
• Virginia Administrative Code
• Constitution of Virginia
• Charters
• Authorities
• Compacts
• Uncodified Acts
• RIS Users (account required)

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

• Bills & Resolutions
  session legislation
• Bill Summaries
  session summaries
• Reports to the General Assembly
  House and Senate documents
• Legislative Liaisons
  State agency contacts

ACROSS SESSIONS

• Subject Index: Since 1995
• Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
• Summaries: Since 1994

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2016 SESSION

• history | hilite | pdf | print version

16102896D
SENATE BILL NO. 356 Offered January 13, 2016 Prefiled January 11, 2016 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 3.2 a section numbered 3.2-108.1, relating to Virginia Pollinator Protection Strategy. ---------- Patron-- Deeds ---------- Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 3.2 a section numbered 3.2-108.1 as follows:

§ 3.2-108.1. Virginia Pollinator Protection Strategy.

A. The Department shall develop and maintain a Virginia Pollinator Protection Strategy (the Strategy) to promote the health of and mitigate the risks to all pollinator species, including honeybees and other managed pollinators.

B. In developing the Strategy, the Department shall seek the assistance of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and the Department of Environmental Quality and shall seek recommendations from representatives of affected groups including beekeepers, agricultural producers, commercial pesticide applicators, private pesticide applicators, pesticide manufacturers, retailers, lawn and turf service providers, agribusiness and farmer organizations, conservation interests, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

C. The Strategy shall include a plan for the protection of managed pollinators that provides voluntary best management practices for pesticide users, beekeepers, and landowners and agricultural producers. The protection plan shall also support efforts to:

1. Reduce the exposure of pollinators to pesticides;

2. Increase pollinator habitat;

3. Maintain existing compliance with state pesticide use requirements;

4. Conduct research on the protection of managed pollinators; and

5. Educate members of the agricultural economy and the apiary industry.