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An Act To Limit Liability of Apiary Owners and Operators
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
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:
 
1.  Licensed.     The apiary is licensed pursuant to section 2701; and
 
2.  Operation and practice.     The apiary is operated in good faith, in a reasonable manner and in conformance with best management practices.
§ 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.