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SB 3116

BEES/APIARIES-CONSENT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Chesney and 4 co-sponsors

The bill requires health certificates or annual health inspection certificates for intrastate movement of bees, hives, and equipment to improve disease control and traceability.

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Bill Summary · SB 3116

Summary of Bill SB3116 (104th Illinois General Assembly)

Purpose and intent

  • SB3116 amends the Bees and Apiaries Act to strengthen oversight of beekeeping operations within Illinois. The bill introduces consent-based entry for inspections, expands requirements around movement of bees and bee equipment, and establishes a system of health inspection certificates (including an annual certificate) for intrastate transportation and sale of bees, queens, and nucleus hives. The overarching aim is to enhance disease and parasite management and ensure traceable, health-verified movement of bees within the state.

Key provisions and changes

  • Right of entry (Sec. 2-4)

    • The Department of Agriculture (DOA) may inspect bees, colonies, equipment, and apiaries.
    • Inspections conducted during reasonable business hours require the beekeeper’s consent or the landowner’s consent prior to entry onto property used for beekeeping.

  • Intrastate transportation and permits (Sec. 2a)

    • No one may sell bees or used equipment without a permit issued based on an inspection certificate from the DOA.
    • Commercial operators transporting hives for pollination or honey production or selling bees may request an annual health inspection certificate.
    • An annual health inspection certificate permits transport of hives for up to one year for pollination, honey production, or sale of bees.
    • Any person selling bees, queens, or nucleus hives must obtain an inspection certificate or an annual health inspection certificate.
    • Transporting a colony or used bee equipment between counties within Illinois requires a permit or a compliance agreement based on an inspection certificate.

  • Enforcement and compliance (Sec. 2a, continued)

    • Colonies or used bee equipment transported illegally may be held, inspected, ordered to return origin, or abated by the Department.

  • Rules and rulemaking (Sec. 5)

    • The DOA may adopt or amend rules for enforcement and administration of the Act, and, as soon as practical after the amendatory Act’s effective date, must update 8 Ill. Adm. Code Part 60.
    • Specific rule revisions include:
    • 8 Ill. Adm. Code 60.50: Treatments for parasites, virus loads, and other bee health issues must be based on the Illinois State Beekeepers Association’s best management practices.
    • 8 Ill. Adm. Code 60.60 (revisions to be substantially similar to expectations outlined):
      • Any bees moved into Illinois must be accompanied by health inspections from the origin state.
      • Bees brought for pollination or resale without an origin-state health certificate must obtain a health certificate from an Illinois inspector within 30 days.
      • Commercial operations and entities selling queens, nucleus hives, or packages (including resellers) must obtain a health certificate from the origin state or an Illinois inspector unless covered by an annual health inspection certificate.
      • Apiaries and commercial beekeepers engaged in pollination or sale of bees within Illinois may receive an annual health inspection certificate, allowing movement for pollination or selling bees.
      • Annual health inspection certificates are valid for one year.

Who/what is affected

  • Beekeepers, queen breeders, nucleus hive sellers, and operators who transport bees, equipment, or hives within Illinois.
  • Commercial pollination services and businesses that move hives for pollination or honey production.
  • Beekeeping operations that sell bees, queens, or nucleus hives.
  • Apiaries and commercial beekeepers that must comply with health certificate requirements and annual inspections.
  • Department of Agriculture (Illinois) which would administer permits, certificates, inspections, and enforcement, along with updating regulatory rules.

Procedural timeline and implementation notes

  • The bill sets a framework for permits and health certificates to be issued by the DOA, with annual certificates valid for one year.
  • Rule amendments are required to be adopted by the DOA, including alignment with State Beekeepers Association best practices and new health certificate standards.
  • The timeline for implementing rule changes is described as “as soon as practical after the effective date” of the amendatory act; specifics would be developed in the rulemaking process and subsequent formal adoption of Part 60 amendments.

Potential impacts and considerations

-Enhanced disease control and traceability for interstate-like intrastate movement of bees and equipment.
- Increased regulatory compliance burden on beekeepers, particularly smaller operations, due to permits and health certificates.
- Potential expansion of DOA oversight and enforcement activities.
- Standardization of treatment recommendations to be based on state association best practices.
- Clear framework for handling violations (e.g., return to origin or abatement of transported colonies/equipment).

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page quick-reference checklist for beekeepers outlining the new permit, certificate, and rule requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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