11-7-403. Annual certification; application; inspection of sample; recertification; fees.

(a) No person shall import, possess or control alfalfa leaf-cutter bees in this state unless the bees are certified annually under this section.

(b) To certify bees, a person shall file a completed application form provided by the department together with the certification and laboratory fees. Certification and laboratory fees shall be established by the department for each pound of bees certified. The applicant must provide at least the following:

(i) Name and place of residence;

(ii) The general location and number of bees to be registered; and

(iii) Other relevant information as required by department regulation.

(c) After receipt of an application for certification, a sample of the total population of bees to be certified shall be selected by the department or its agent in a manner prescribed by the department. The sample shall be inspected for pathogens and parasites. If no pathogens or parasites in excess of certification standards are found, the sample shall be reported within certifiable limits.

(d) When the department receives a completed application form, a certification fee and a report that the sample is within certifiable limits, it shall issue a certificate for the bees.

(e) The department shall specify the date by which any applicant must apply for recertification the following year.

(f) Fees collected under this act shall be deposited into a separate account and expended for administration and enforcement of this act. In administering and enforcing the provisions of this act, the department, by a separately negotiated agreement with another governmental agency or a private association as authorized by W.S. 11-7-402(b)(i), may make the fees available for expenditure by that agency or association. Any such agency or association shall be required to submit an annual budget to the department for its review and approval prior to the expenditure of any funds under this section.