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Senate committee favorably reports amended HB 162 after testimony on soil health and apiarist appointments
Summary
The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee accepted an amendment expanding deputy apiarist appointments and favorably reported an amended substitute to House Bill 162 after proponent testimony supporting a statewide Ohio Soil Health Week.
The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met to consider an amended substitute to House Bill 162 and voted to favorably report the bill after accepting an amendment and hearing proponent testimony.
Vice Chair Landis explained and moved to adopt amendment AM 135-2930, telling the committee the amendment "will allow Board of County Commissioners to appoint multiple deputy apiarists, also known as beekeepers, rather than only 1 as under the current law." The committee raised no objections and the amendment was added to the bill.
Milo Petruzzello, policy director at the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, testified in support of HB 162, asking that the second full week in November be declared Ohio Soil Health Week. Petruzzello described the Ohio Soil Health Initiative's partners, farmer education activities and results from the inaugural celebration—he said 25 partners, 11 farms and 19 events across eight counties drew more than 724 attendees and that a state designation would increase visibility for farmer‑to‑farmer learning.
Vice Chair Landis moved to favorably report the amended substitute. Clerk roll call recorded Yes votes from Chair Schafer, Vice Chair Landis and Ranking Member Hicks Hudson; the committee favorably reported the bill and left the roll open until 5:30 p.m. The committee recorded the bill as favorably reported and concluded the item.
