An Act To Limit Liability of Apiary Owners and Operators

Sec. 1. 7 MRSA c. 533  is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 533

LIABILITY

§ 2881.  Liability of apiary owner or operator

The owner or operator of an apiary is not liable for personal or property damage that occurs in connection with the operation of that apiary, including the keeping and maintaining of honeybees and honeybee equipment, queen breeding equipment, apiaries and appliances, as long as:

§ 2882.  Rules

The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish best management practices for the operation of apiaries. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill exempts the owner or operator of an apiary from liability for personal or property damage arising from the operation of that apiary as long as the apiary is licensed and is operated in good faith, in a reasonable manner and in conformance with best management practices, as determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources.