HB552 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chad Fincher

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Honeybees, regulated by Agriculture and Industries Department, bringing hives across state lines without certification by department, fine increased, destruction of hives under certain conditions, Sec. 2-14-4 am'd.

Summary

HB552 would tighten Alabama's honeybee import rules by charging per-hive fines for uninspected shipments, allowing the destruction of noncompliant hives after notice, and exempting those moved under a department compliance agreement.

What This Bill Does

It would create a per-hive fine for honeybees brought into Alabama without a certificate of inspection. The Department of Agriculture and Industries must notify the hive owner to remove the hives, and if they are not removed within seven days, the department may destroy them. Bees brought into the state under a compliance agreement are not subject to these penalties. The bill notes it could require new local expenditures but includes exceptions that let it take effect without a local government vote, and it would become law on the first day of the third month after governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Bee owners or shippers who move honeybees into Alabama without a department inspection certificate would face a per-hive fine and potential destruction of noncompliant hives after seven days' notice.
• Bees moved into Alabama under a Department of Agriculture and Industries compliance agreement are not subject to these penalties.

Key Provisions

• Maintains requirement that shipments into Alabama be accompanied by a certificate of inspection, with the certificate attached to the shipment in a conspicuous place.
• Imposes a per-hive fine for honeybees brought into the state without a certificate of inspection.
• Requires the Department to notify the hive owner to remove the hives within seven days; noncompliant hives may be destroyed.
• Exempts shipments brought under a compliance agreement from these provisions.
• Notes that the bill could require new or increased local expenditures under Amendment 621, but provides exceptions that allow it to take effect without local approval.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Agriculture and Industries Department