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IdahoH 08262026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

HONEY INDUSTRY – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding the Idaho Honey Commission.

Sponsored By: WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

HONEY INDUSTRY

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger honey inspections and fines

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department can inspect honey sites after a written complaint during business hours. Inspectors can sample retail honey using U.S. grade standards and check equipment and records. The Department can order stop‑sale and hold honey until problems and costs are fixed, with 30 days to comply. It can ask a court to seize or allow relabeling to meet the law. Civil fines can be up to $10,000 per offense, with notice and a hearing. Unpaid penalties can be collected in court, and final fines can be appealed within 30 days.

State honey standards and registry changes

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho’s honey standards rules (IDAPA 02.06.16) are canceled. The statute that backed those rules is repealed. The law also ends the requirement to publish the list of registered beekeepers. This reduces state‑level standards and increases beekeeper privacy.

Beekeepers pay per-hive tax

Beginning July 1, 2026, beekeepers pay $0.05 per hive each year. The Department mails notice by June 1; payment is due July 1. Hobbyists are exempt, but can choose to register for $10 a year. The rate can change by vote to $0.03–$0.10 per hive. Hives brought to Idaho for indoor winter storage are exempt if registered. The tax is a lien on apicultural property until paid.

New Honey Commission and marketing focus

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Idaho Honey Commission operates inside the Department. It includes the Director and three Idaho honey producers who meet commercial, registration, and 5‑year residency rules. The industry group sends two nominees per vacancy by June 1; the Governor appoints three‑year terms. The commission runs marketing, research (including bee research), and public education and can contract with universities or services. It cannot set honey quality or labeling rules by regulation. All costs are paid from the Idaho honey fund, and an annual financial report is due October 1.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Camille Blaylock

    Republican • Senate

  • Jeff Ehlers

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 102 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/16/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 69 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 27, 2026 Session Law Chapter 218 Effective: 07/01/2026; 07/01/2026 IDAPA Sunset Clause - SECTION 12

    3/30/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 12:01 p.m. on March 27, 2026

    3/27/2026

  3. Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor

    3/27/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/26/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/26/2026Senate

  6. Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate

    3/26/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/25/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 33-0-2

    3/25/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/20/2026Senate

  10. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    3/19/2026Senate

  11. Introduced, read first time; referred to: Agricultural Affairs

    3/17/2026Senate

  12. Received from the House passed; filed for first reading

    3/17/2026Senate

  13. Rules Suspended: Ayes 69 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required – PASSED - 69-0-1

    3/16/2026House

  14. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/16/2026House

  15. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    3/13/2026House

  16. Reported Printed and Referred to Agricultural Affairs

    3/5/2026House

  17. Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing

    3/4/2026House

Bill Text

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