AI-assisted research summary: Bees or equipment may not be shipped into or out of Texas without a permit from the chief apiary inspector, and related applications, inspections, fees, and quarantine rules apply.
Sec. 131.041. PERMIT FOR INTERSTATE MOVEMENT. (a) A person may not ship or cause to be shipped bees or equipment into or out of this state unless the person has a permit issued by the chief apiary inspector authorizing the shipment. (b) A permit issued under this section applies to all shipments made by the beekeeper and expires on August 31 following the date the permit is issued. The term of a permit may not exceed one year. (c) A person may apply for a permit under this section by filing an application with the inspector. A person may apply for a permit at any time, but a person must apply for a permit before the 10th day preceding the date of a shipment if the person does not hold a permit on the 10th day preceding the date of the shipment. An application for a permit must include all information required by the chief apiary inspector. (d) A shipment originating outside this state requires: (1) a certificate of inspection signed by the official apiary inspector or entomologist of the state, territory, or country from which the bees are to be shipped before the shipment may enter the state; or (2) an inspection of the shipment by the chief apiary inspector of Texas not more than 12 months before the date of the shipment. (e) A certificate of inspection for a permit required by Subsection (d)(1) must certify that the bees or equipment are apparently free from disease and reportable pests based on an actual inspection conducted not more than 12 months before the date of the shipment. If the bees or equipment are to be shipped into this state from a state, territory, or country that does not have an official apiary inspector or entomologist: (1) the person shipping the bees or equipment may provide other suitable evidence that the bees and equipment are free from disease and reportable pests; or (2) the bees may be shipped into this state under quarantine and the person receiving the shipment shall have the bees inspected not later than the 30th day after the date the bees enter this state. (f) If a person files an application in accordance with Subsection (c) and the inspector is satisfied that the shipment or shipments to which the permit applies do not pose a threat to disease and pest control in the beekeeping industry, the inspector shall issue a permit. (g) This section does not apply to a shipment of package bees. (h) The inspector shall charge a fee for each permit issued under this section. The inspector shall set the fee at an amount that is reasonable in relation to the costs of administering this section. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1884, ch. 350, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 418, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 882 (H.B. 4538), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2023.