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Committee hears bill to reclassify bees as livestock and defers to Department of Agriculture
Summary
Representative Sherrill introduced HB 23 22 to reclassify bees as livestock to help beekeepers access grants. Members noted Department of Agriculture materials may already classify bees as farm products; the committee agreed to roll the bill to the next available calendar for agency guidance.
Representative Sherrill presented HB 23 22, asking the committee to reclassify bees as livestock rather than an insect to improve grant eligibility and program access for beekeepers. The sponsor said the change could help producers access federal grants and other programs.
Representative Jones and other members pointed to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture website and existing code language suggesting bees are currently defined as farm products. The chair and sponsor agreed the committee should seek clarification from the Department of Agriculture; the committee voted to roll the measure to the next available calendar to obtain agency input.
