Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 355 (2015GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Handy, S.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/31/2015

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• states that the county bee inspector or the Department of Agriculture and Food may inspect an apiary within a county;
• states that the Department of Agriculture and Food may make rules to control and eradicate certain infectious diseases in livestock;
• establishes fines;
• repeals language; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

UTAH AGRICULTURAL CODE AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Stephen G. Handy
Senate Sponsor: 
David P. Hinkins
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill modifies the Utah Agricultural Code.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ states that the county bee inspector or the Department of Agriculture and Food may
inspect an apiary within a county;
▸ states that the Department of Agriculture and Food may make rules to control and
eradicate certain infectious diseases in livestock;
▸ establishes fines;
▸ repeals language; and
▸ makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
4-11-7
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 73
4-23-8
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapters 73 and 378
4-31-109
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 331
ENACTS:
4-31-109.1
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
REPEALS:
4-23-9
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1994, Chapter 98
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
4-11-7
 is amended to read:
4-11-7.
Inspector -- Duties -- Diseased apiaries -- Examination of diseased bees by
department -- Election to transport bees to wax-salvage plant.
(1) The county bee inspector or the department [
shall
] 
may
 inspect all apiaries within
the county at least once each year and, also, inspect immediately any apiary within the county
that is alleged in a written complaint to be severely diseased, parasitized, or abandoned.
(2) If, upon inspection, the inspector determines that an apiary is diseased or
parasitized, the inspector shall take the following action based on the severity of the disease or
parasite present:
(a) prescribe the course of treatment that the owner or caretaker of the bees shall follow
to eliminate the disease or parasite;
(b) personally, for the purpose of treatment approved by the department, take control of
the afflicted bees, hives, combs, broods, honey, and equipment; or
(c) destroy the afflicted bees and, if necessary, their hives, combs, broods, honey, and
all appliances that may have become infected.
(3) If, upon reinspection, the inspector determines that the responsible party has not
executed the course of treatment prescribed by Subsection (2), the inspector may take
immediate possession of the afflicted colony for control or destruction in accordance with
Subsection (2)(b) or (c).
(4) (a) The owner of an apiary who is dissatisfied with the diagnosis or course of action
proposed by an inspector under this section may, at the owner's expense, have the department
examine the alleged diseased bees.
(b) The decision of the commissioner with respect to the condition of bees at the time
of the examination is final and conclusive upon the owner and the inspector involved.
(5) The owner of a diseased apiary, notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections (2),
(3), and (4), may elect under the direction of the county bee inspector to kill the diseased bees,
seal their hives, and transport them to a licensed wax-salvage plant.
Section 2. Section 
4-23-8
 is amended to read:
4-23-8.
Proceeds of sheep fee -- Refund of sheep fees -- Annual audit of books,
records, and accounts.
(1) (a) Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (1), the commissioner may
spend an amount each year from the proceeds collected from the fee imposed on sheep for the
promotion, advancement, and protection of the sheep interests of the state.
(b) The amount described in Subsection (1)(a) shall be the equivalent to an amount
that:
(i) equals or exceeds 18 cents per head; and
(ii) equals or is less than 25 cents per head.
(c) The commissioner shall set the amount described in Subsection (1)(a):
(i) on or before January 1 of each year; and
(ii) in consultation with one or more statewide organizations that represent persons
who grow wool.
[
(d) All costs to promote or advance sheep interests shall be deducted from the total
revenue collected before calculating the annual budget request, which shall be made by the
Division of Wildlife Resources as specified in Section 
4-23-9
.
]
[
(e)
] 
(d)
 A sheep fee is refundable in an amount equal to that part of the fee used to
promote, advance, or protect sheep interests.
[
(f)
] 
(e)
 A refund claim shall be filed with the department on or before January 1 of the
year immediately succeeding the year for which the fee was paid.
[
(g)
] 
(f)
 A refund claim shall be certified by the department to the state treasurer for
payment from the Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Account created in Section
4-23-7.5
.
(2) Any expense incurred by the department in administering refunds shall be paid
from funds allocated for the promotion, advancement, and protection of the sheep interests of
the state.
(3) (a) The books, records, and accounts of the Utah Woolgrowers Association, or any
other organization which receives funds from the agricultural and wildlife damage prevention
account, for the purpose of promoting, advancing, or protecting the sheep interests of the state,
shall be audited at least once annually by a licensed accountant.
(b) The results of this audit shall be submitted to the commissioner.
Section 3. Section 
4-31-109
 is amended to read:
4-31-109.
Department authorized to make and enforce rules concerning
brucellosis, trichomoniasis, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases in livestock.
(1) The department may:
(a) make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
Rulemaking Act, to control and eradicate brucellosis, trichomoniasis, [
and
] tuberculosis
, and
other infectious diseases
 in livestock; and
(b) enforce the rules described in Subsection (1)(a).
(2) The department shall, in making the rules described in Subsection (1)(a), protect
against negative impact on the interstate or intrastate commerce of livestock that is transferred,
sold, or exhibited.
Section 4. Section 
4-31-109.1
 is enacted to read:
 4-31-109.1.
Trichomoniasis fines.
(1) A person who knowingly sells a bull infected with trichomoniasis, other than to
slaughter, without declaring the disease status of the animal shall be subject to citation and
fines as prescribed by the department or may be called to appear before an administrative
proceeding by the department, as established by rule in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3,
Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, and Section 
4-31-109
.
(2) After May 15 of each calendar year, an owner of a bull that has not been tested for
trichomoniasis shall be fined $1,000 per violation.
(3) An owner of a bull that has not been tested for trichomoniasis and that has been
exposed to female cattle shall be fined $1,000 per violation regardless of the time of year.
Section 5. 
Repealer.
This bill repeals:
Section 
4-23-9
,
Annual budget requests -- Relation to amount of fees and
supplemental contributions deposited in Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention
Account -- Commissioner to certify amount deposited.