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Committee approves bill to reclassify honeybees as livestock to access farm grants
Summary
Lawmakers unanimously advanced HB 23-22 to reclassify honeybees from 'insect' to 'livestock' in state code, with the sponsor saying the change will allow beekeepers to access additional federal agricultural grants.
Representative Sherrill told the committee HB 23-22 was requested by constituents in White County and supported by the county beekeepers association to reclassify honeybees as livestock. The sponsor said the change aligns bees with the code section governing farm products and could enable access to federal grants that support beekeeping and pollinator health.
Members noted the change appears unusual but supported it; Representative Jones asked whether other states have made similar changes and the sponsor cited Kentucky. Representative Fritz, a former beekeeper, praised the measure and asked practical questions about the implications. The committee voted 9–0 to send HB 23-22 to the full committee.
