The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

A healthy and vibrant apiary industry is important to the economy and welfare of the people of the State of California. Protection and promotion of this important industry is in the interest of the people of the State of California.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as, the “Apiary Protection Act.” Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this article govern the construction of this chapter.

“Apiary” includes bees, comb, hives, appliances, or colonies, wherever they are kept, located, or found.

“Appliance” means any implement or other device which is used in handling and manipulating bees or comb, any container of bees or comb, or any other equipment which is used in the practice of apiculture.

“Bees” means honey-producing insects of the genus Apis. It includes all life stages of these insects.

“Board” means the Apiary Board.

“Broker” means a person or entity that receives a monetary profit from the managing of beehives, hive equipment, or honey bees that they do not own, but have control of, through a private or public agreement between one or more parties.

“Colony” means one hive and its contents, including bees, comb, and appliances.

“Comb” includes all materials which are normally deposited into hives by bees. It does not include extracted honey or royal jelly, trapped pollen, and processed beeswax.

“Commissioner” means a county agricultural commissioner.

“Pest” includes American foulbrood or any other infectious disease, parasite, pest, or hereditary disease that affects bees that the secretary declares by regulations, in consultation with the association representing the beekeeping industry and the board and final approval by the secretary, is detrimental to the welfare of the bee industry.

“Infected,” “infested,” “contaminated,” or “diseased” includes a viable stage of a life cycle of a “pest” as defined in Section 29009 can be demonstrated to exist on or within the colony population or on hives, comb, or any appliances associated with beekeeping operations.

“Hive” means any receptacle or container, or part of any receptacle or container, which is made or prepared for the use of bees, or which is inhabited by bees.

“Inspector” means any person who has received a certificate issued by the department with curriculum approved by the secretary and who is authorized to enforce this chapter.

“Location” means any premises upon which an apiary is located.