> a reference to the proposed regulations, 

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
Submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(e) 
BILL NUMBER: A7543A
SPONSOR: Magee

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to beekeeper and apiary surveys

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the bill is to facilitate the collection of reliable information on beekeepers and apiary yard locations.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill amends Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) § 173 to authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets (Commissioner) to cause surveys of beekeepers and apiary yard locations within the State to be made for the purpose of assessing the size and condition of the State's honey bee population. Beekeepers, when requested by the Commissioner, are required to disclose the location of their apiary yards and provide any other information required for the surveys. The bill requires that records containing information relating to beekeepers be treated as confidential except where the Commissioner deems disclosure necessary to implement AML Article 15 relating to bee diseases. Department records containing such confidential information shall be exempt from disclosure to the extent authorized by Article 6 of the Public Officers Law.  Also, each beekeeper shall obtain and post an identification number from the Department in a conspicuous place at each apiary yard location.

EXISTING LAW:
Agriculture and Markets Law § 173 authorizes the Commissioner to cause inspections to be made of apiaries in the State for the purpose of discovering infectious, contagious or communicable diseases and the presence of insects and parasitic organisms that may adversely affect bees. Section 173 also authorizes the Commissioner to have access to and make investigations of apiaries, structures, appliances or premises where bees or honey or comb used in apiaries are located...

07/06/07 delivered to governor 
07/18/07 signed chap.249....

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