                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

APIARIES; LIMITATION ON LIABILITY (§ 3.2-4411.1)

A. Any person owning or operating an apiary that is not located on his own
property shall post the name and address of the owner or operator in a
conspicuous place in the apiary.

B. A person who operates an apiary in a reasonable manner, in compliance with
local zoning restrictions, and in conformance with the written best management
practices as provided by regulation of the Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services shall not be liable for any personal injury or property damage
that occurs in connection with his keeping and maintaining of bees, bee
equipment, queen breeding equipment, apiaries, or appliances. The limitation of
liability established by this section does not apply to intentional tortious
conduct or acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or negligence.

C. The limitation of liability in this section shall not take effect until
regulations are adopted by the Board. The Board may adopt initial regulations
under this section to implement the provisions of this section to be effective
no later than November 1, 2016. Such initial regulations shall be exempt from
the requirements of Article 2 (&#xA7; 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative
Process Act; however, the Board shall publish proposed regulations in the
Virginia Register of Regulations and allow at least 30 days for public comment,
to include an online public comment forum on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall,
after publication. Any amendments to such initial regulations or any subsequent
regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall comply with the requirements
of Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act. Any regulations adopted shall
include best management practices for the operation of apiaries.

HISTORY: 2016, c. 564.