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LB 540

Change provisions of the Nebraska Apiary Act and create the Nebraska Apiary Advisory Board

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rick Holdcroft

LB 540 creates a Nebraska Apiary Advisory Board and a full-time UNL apiculture extension educator to guide policy, education, and standards for beekeeping and bee health in Nebrask

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 540

Summary of LB 540 — Change provisions of the Nebraska Apiary Act and create the Nebraska Apiary Advisory Board

Jurisdiction: Nebraska Legislature, Agriculture Committee
Introduced: January 22, 2025
Hearing: Notice of hearing issued February 3, 2025; hearing date February 25, 2025
Sponsor: Senator Rick Holdcroft (primary)

Purpose and intent

LB 540 proposes a comprehensive update to the Nebraska Apiary Act by:
- Creating a formal Nebraska Apiary Advisory Board to advise on bee health, habitat, policy, and education.
- Requiring the University of Nebraska Board of Regents to establish a full-time extension educator with specialized knowledge in apiculture.
- Harmonizing and reorganizing statutory provisions related to apiculture, including terminology and definitions.

The bill is designed to improve the health and sustainability of both managed and wild bee populations in Nebraska and to align state policies with current beekeeping needs and education.

Key provisions

1) Creation of the Nebraska Apiary Advisory Board

  • The Board is created and serves as an advisory body to guide policy and program decisions related to bees.
  • Composition (appointed by the Director of Agriculture):
    • At least one beekeeper who maintains at least one apiary in Nebraska and is an active member of a beekeeping club or organization.
    • At least one commercial beekeeper residing in Nebraska.
    • At least one beekeeper who keeps bees as a hobbyist or sideliner (secondary income).
    • The Director may invite a representative from entomology or apiculture expertise to join the Board; participation is optional and not mandatory for service.
  • Vacancies are filled by the Director for the remainder of the vacating member’s term.
  • The Director of Agriculture serves as Chair of the Board.
  • Board members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses according to state travel rules.

2) Board duties and objectives

  • Improve the health and habitat of both managed and wild bees in Nebraska.
  • Provide feedback to identify actionable steps and protections for apiculture.
  • Identify research gaps and prioritize needs for plans and objectives, focusing on issues identified by the Apiary Advisory Board.
  • Collaborate with the Legislature to promote a healthy and sustainable Nebraska bee population.

3) Evaluation of statutes and education

  • The Board shall examine existing statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and practices related to bee populations in Nebraska and the United States.
  • It will make recommendations on:
    • How to focus efforts on understanding, preventing, and recovering from bee population losses.
    • The impact of bee dependence in food production and related systems.
    • Education programs to raise public knowledge about bee population loss and how individuals and businesses can help.

4) University of Nebraska extension educator

  • The Board of Regents must create a full-time extension educator position at UNL.
  • The educator must have empirical knowledge in entomology plus specific expertise in apiculture.
  • The educator will serve as an educational and informational resource for hobbyists, sideliners, and commercial beekeepers across the university system.

5) Terminology and statutory structure

  • Amend §§ 81-2,165.01 and 81-2,166 to define key terms (e.g., apiary, beekeeper, colony, disease, pest, etc.) and to reorganize the Nebraska Apiary Act.
  • Repeal the original sections and rename the act as the Nebraska Apiary Act, consolidating the updated provisions.

Impact and who is affected

  • Beekeepers: Hobbyists, sideliners, and commercial beekeepers in Nebraska gain a formal advisory voice and enhanced state support through education and policy guidance.
  • Educational institutions: UNL extension service gains a dedicated apiculture educator to support the beekeeping community.
  • State agencies: Nebraska Department of Agriculture gains a structured advisory mechanism to inform policy and regulatory actions.
  • General public: Increased education on bee population health and its implications for agriculture and ecosystem services.

Fiscal notes and timeline

  • Two fiscal notes were submitted (February 24 and February 27, 2025), indicating potential budget considerations, though amounts are not specified in the provided materials.
  • Legislative actions show introduction on January 22, 2025, referral to the Agriculture Committee on January 24, 2025, and a scheduled hearing on February 25, 2025.

Summary

LB 540 aims to modernize the Nebraska Apiary Act by forming a legislatively-engaged advisory board, expanding university-led apiculture education, and clarifying and updating definitions and governance related to beekeeping in the state. The bill establishes structured input from diverse beekeeping stakeholders and creates a dedicated academic resource to support a thriving, informed beekeeping community.

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

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