RD438 - Report on the Virginia Beehive Grant Program – November 1, 2017


Executive Summary:
Chapters 412 and 473 of the 2012 Acts of Assembly established the Virginia Beehive Grant (BHG) program and fund (Va. Code § 3.2?4415 through § 3.2?4416) in an effort to improve honey bee populations in the Commonwealth. The BHG program has provided grant funding to individuals for the purchase of a new honey bee hive or materials or supplies to construct a new honey bee hive. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has administered the BHG program and the disbursement of BHG funds.

Item 93 of the 2017 Appropriation Act eliminates funding for the BHG program in fiscal year 2018. The Item directs VDACS to discontinue accepting BHG applications if support is not appropriated for the BHG fund. The Item further requires that VDACS report to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees the amount and number of grants distributed each fiscal year, the impacts to the bee populations in the Commonwealth, and efficiency recommendations regarding the Beehive Grant Program.