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Committee clears Honeybee Health Act to support managed pollinators and hive health
Summary
AB 1042, the Honeybee Health Act, passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee and would create a Managed Honey Bee Health Program to provide grants, research, technical assistance and an advisory committee to support beekeepers and pollination services that undergird many California crops.
Assembly Bill 1042, titled the Honeybee Health Act, was advanced by the California State Assembly Committee on Agriculture and is due passed to the Appropriations Committee after proponents described the central role of managed honey bees in California agriculture and the industry’s recent declines.
Assemblymember Ransom presented AB 1042, saying over 100 California crops rely on pollination services from managed honey bees and that declines in hive health — attributed to habitat loss, climate change, pests and disease — threaten crop production and quality. The bill would establish a Managed Honey Bee Health Program to deliver incentives, grants, research and technical assistance, and would create an advisory committee of beekeepers, farmers, agricultural commissioners and other stakeholders to guide the program.
Daniel Hartwig, president of the California Fresh Fruit Association, testified in support and emphasized pollinators’ importance to berries, stone fruit and other fresh produce. Industry and beekeeper representatives who registered support included the California Beekeepers (represented by Raymond Contreras of Lighthouse Public Affairs), Almond Alliance, Agricultural Council of California, Western Growers, Western Tree Nut Association, American Pistachio Growers, CropLife America and the California Farm Bureau.
No speakers in opposition were recorded at the hearing. Committee members praised the bill; one member asked to be a coauthor and the author said the legislation is intended to help maintain hive health, support research and sustain pollination services critical to the state’s multi-billion-dollar fresh fruit economy. A committee roll call recorded eight ayes and no nays; the bill was due passed to the Appropriations Committee.
The bill as presented does not specify program funding levels in the hearing record. Supporters said the program aims to provide targeted assistance to beekeepers and strengthen the beekeeping industry so that farms dependent on pollination services can maintain production.
Votes at a glance: AB 1042 — Due passed to Appropriations Committee (8–0).
