Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this subdivision have the meanings given them.

(a) "Apiary" means a place where a collection of one or more hives or colonies of bees or the nuclei of bees are kept.

(b) "Bee equipment" means hives, supers, frames, veils, gloves, and any apparatus, tool, machine, vehicle, or other device used in the handling, moving, or manipulating of bees, honey, wax, or hives, including containers of honey or wax, which may be used in an apiary or in transporting bees and their products and apiary supplies.

(c) "Bees" means any stage of the common honey bee, Apis mellifera (L).

(d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designees or authorized agents.

Subd. 2. Purpose. To ensure continued access to foreign and domestic markets, the commissioner shall provide requested bee inspections and other necessary services.

Subd. 3. Inspections and other services. On request, the commissioner may make inspections for sale of bees, bee equipment, or appliances or perform other necessary services.

Subd. 4. Fees. The commissioner shall charge a fee or charge for expenses so as to recover the cost of performing the inspections and services in subdivision 3. If a person for whom these inspections or services are to be performed requests it, the commissioner shall provide to the person in advance an estimate of the fees or expenses that will be charged. All fees and charges collected under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the agricultural fund. Revenue from inspection fees and other charges deposited in the agricultural fund, including any interest earned, is appropriated to the commissioner to perform the services provided for under this section.

History: 2006 c 265 s 1