SB617: Bill Text

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill creates the task force on native pollinator health. The bill requires the task force to do all of the following:

1. Study successful public education and outreach programs regarding pollinator health from other states.

2. Evaluate the effectiveness of pesticide applicator licensing and other legal requirements and incentives in improving pollinator health.

3. Identify possible funding streams for efforts to promote or protect pollinator health.

4. Investigate the methods other states use to gather data on populations of bees or other pollinating insects.

5. Study the impact of pesticides on declining pollinator populations.

6. Examine any other issues that the task force determines are relevant to pollinator health.

7. Report its findings and any recommendations to the legislature no later than December 31, 2020, at which time the task force terminates.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB617,1 Section 1. Nonstatutory provisions.

SB617,2,2 (1) Task force on native pollinator health.

SB617,2,4 (a) Creation. There is created a committee called the task force on native pollinator health to examine issues related to native pollinator health.

SB617,2,5 (b) Members.

SB617,2,8 1. The president of the senate shall appoint a senator and the speaker of the assembly shall appoint a representative to the assembly to serve as nonvoting members of the task force.

SB617,2,11 2. The senate minority leader shall appoint a senator and the assembly minority leader shall appoint a representative to the assembly to serve as nonvoting members of the task force.

SB617,2,13 3. The secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall appoint the following to serve as voting members of the task force:

SB617,2,15 a. A representative of an advocacy group for nurseries and greenhouse producers.

SB617,2,16 b. A representative of an advocacy group for farmers.

SB617,2,18 c. A representative of the public who owns a small retail business that relies on adequate pollinator health.

SB617,2,20 d. A representative of the public who has been certified as a master gardener under the University of Wisconsin-Extension master gardener program.

SB617,2,22 e. A representative of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

SB617,2,25 4. The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System shall appoint a faculty member in the University of Wisconsin System who specializes in the science of pollinator health to serve as a voting member of the task force.

SB617,3,2 5. The secretary of natural resources shall appoint the following to serve as voting members of the task force:

SB617,3,4 a. A representative of an advocacy group dedicated to environmental protection.

SB617,3,6 b. A representative of an advocacy group dedicated to the protection of pollinators and invertebrates.

SB617,3,7 c. A representative of the public who is a beekeeper.

SB617,3,8 d. A representative of the department of natural resources.

SB617,3,11 6. The secretary of transportation shall appoint a representative of the department of transportation who specializes in integrated vegetation management plans to serve as a voting member of the task force.

SB617,3,12 (c) Duties. The task force shall do all of the following:

SB617,3,14 1. Study public education and outreach programs regarding pollinator health that have been successful in other states.

SB617,3,16 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of pesticide applicator licensing and other legal requirements and incentives in improving pollinator health.

SB617,3,18 3. Identify possible funding streams for efforts to promote or protect pollinator health.

SB617,3,20 4. Investigate the methods other states have used to gather data on populations of bees or other pollinating insects.

SB617,3,21 5. Study the impact of pesticides on declining pollinator populations.

SB617,3,23 6. Examine any other issues that the task force determines are relevant to pollinator health.

SB617,4,2 7. Report its findings to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3) no later than December 31, 2020. The report may include recommendations for legislation. The task force terminates upon the submission of the report.

SB617,4,3 (d) Organization and administration.

SB617,4,11 1. The task force shall select a chairperson from among its members. A majority of the voting members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. Official action by the task force requires the approval of 5 or more voting members. If there is a vacancy for any cause on the task force, the appointing authority shall make an appointment, which is effective immediately. The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the voting members. The task force may adopt rules necessary for its operation.

SB617,4,14 2. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall assist the task force in the performance of its duties. The legislative council staff shall provide staff to assist the task force in the performance of its duties.

SB617,4,15 (End)