The Cannella Environmental Farming Act of 1995: Managed Honeybee Health Program.

Assembly Member Ransom's proposal to establish a Managed Honeybee Health Program within California's Department of Food and Agriculture aims to address declining honeybee populations that pollinate over 90 state crops. The program would authorize grants and incentives for health intervention projects, including disease prevention and therapeutic treatments for managed honeybee colonies.

The legislation creates a dedicated Managed Honeybee Health Special Fund Subaccount within the Climate Smart Agriculture Account to collect and distribute federal, private, and nonstate funding for program activities. Eligible grant recipients include in-state commercial beekeepers, with the department authorized to prioritize projects benefiting disadvantaged communities, socially disadvantaged beekeepers, and initiatives demonstrating potential for statewide replication or environmental benefits such as reduced hive loss.

Implementation requires consultation between the Department of Food and Agriculture and a Scientific Advisory Panel that includes commercial beekeepers, the State Veterinarian, farmers, agricultural commissioners, scientists, and nongovernmental representatives. The panel would advise on program priorities and grant criteria, while the department maintains oversight of funding distribution. The program's operation remains contingent on appropriations through the state budget process or separate legislation.