Fiscal Note & Local Impact Statement

127 ^th General Assembly of Ohio

Ohio Legislative Service Commission

77 South High Street, 9^th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-6136 ² Phone: (614) 466-3615

² Internet Web Site: http://www.lsc.state.oh.us/

BILL:	H.B. 501		DATE:	April 15, 2008
STATUS:	As Introduced		SPONSOR:	Reps. Okey and Stebelton
LOCAL IMPACT STATEMENT REQUIRED:		No —	No local cost

CONTENTS:

To create the 15-member Ohio Beekeepers Task Force

State Fiscal Highlights

STATE FUND	FY 2009	FY 2010			FUTURE YEARS
General Revenue Fund
Revenues	- 0 -		- 0 -	- 0 -
Expenditures	Minimal increase in administrative costs		Minimal increase in administrative costs	Minimal increase in administrative costs

Note: The state fiscal year is July 1 through June 30. For example, FY 2009 is July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009.

· The bill creates the 15-member Ohio Beekeepers Task Force, consisting of four legislators, three state officials, and various university and trade association representatives. The task force is to study and report on the declining population of the honeybee in Ohio and other related issues.

· There would be minimal administrative costs associated with creating such a task force, primarily for the publication of the task force's final report. Task force members are not to receive compensation for their services.

Local Fiscal Highlights

· No direct fiscal effect on political subdivisions.

Detailed Fiscal Analysis

The bill creates the 15-member Ohio Beekeepers Task Force consisting of four legislators, three state officials, Ohio State University faculty, and trade association representatives.. The task force is charged with studying the causes and effects of honeybee population decline in Ohio. Within ten months of the bill's effective date, the task force is to submit a final report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the Ohio State Beekeepers Association that:

· Summarizes the extent of the honeybee crisis in Ohio;

· Examines the effects of honeybee population levels on pollination;

· Reviews federal initiatives regarding honeybee populations;

· Overviews the Department of Agriculture's five-year goals concerning the honeybee population;

· Describes the sources of funding available for honeybee programs; and

· Raises other relevant issues.

After the task force's initial report, it is to meet and respond to any questions from a person who received the report. The task force will cease to exist after submitting its answers to these questions. It is assumed that there will be minimal administrative costs associated with creating such a task force, such as the publication of the task force's final report. Additionally, members of the task force are not to be compensated. Since it concerns apiary issues, the Department of Agriculture would most likely be responsible for providing support to the task force and would cover any related costs.

LSC fiscal staff: Nick Thomas

HB0501IN/cm