Bill Text: MS HB1333 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Honey and honey products; transfer authority to inspect from State Department of Health to the MS Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-16 - Approved by Governor [HB1333 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2018-HB1333-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Agriculture
By: Representatives Morgan, Dixon
House Bill 1333
(As Sent to Governor)
AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI HONEY PRODUCERS ADVISORY COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE FOR A REVIEW BY THE ADVISORY COUNCIL OF THE LAWS REGULATING THE PRODUCTION OF HONEY IN MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE MISSISSIPPI HONEY PRODUCERS ADVISORY COUNCIL; TO REQUIRE THAT THE COUNCIL REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS, IF ANY, TO THE LEGISLATURE NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 30, 2018; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Mississippi Honey Producers Advisory Council. The purpose of the advisory council is to review the laws and regulations governing the production of honey in Mississippi to determine if those laws and regulations address the concerns of the industry or if those laws and regulations need revision to address the concerns of the industry, and to prepare and develop its findings and recommendations in a written report to the Legislature.
(2) The Mississippi Honey Producers Advisory Council shall be composed of ten (10) members of the Executive Board of the Mississippi Beekeepers Association. There shall be two (2) staff members from the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, two (2) staff members from the Mississippi State Department of Health, and one (1) staff member from Mississippi State University Extension Service at each meeting of the advisory council to provide technical assistance. The council may seek input from all of the aforementioned state agencies.
(3) The president of the association shall be the chair of the Mississippi Honey Producers Advisory Council. The chair shall be responsible for calling meetings of the council and conducting the meetings. The council shall elect a vice chair to serve as secretary who shall be responsible for keeping all records and minutes of the advisory council. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings; such notices shall be mailed or emailed, as determined by the council, at least fifteen (15) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held. Members of the advisory council shall not be compensated or reimbursed for travel expenses. Notice of meetings of the advisory council shall be provided to the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and the state agencies and institutions referenced in subsection (2) of this section at least fifteen (15) days prior to said meeting.
(4) Meetings shall be conducted at either the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce or the Mississippi State Department of Health, depending on meeting space availability. The agencies are directed to work with the chair to provide meeting space. The advisory council shall meet and organize thirty (30) days after the passage of this act.
(5) A majority of the members of the advisory council shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of the vice chair, and the adoption of rules, minutes, findings and recommendations, an affirmative vote of a majority of the advisory council shall be required.
(6) No later than November 30, 2018, the council shall report its findings and recommendation in writing to the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. After submitting the recommendation and findings required in subsection (1) of this section, the Mississippi Honey Producers Advisory Council shall be dissolved.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
