Senate 55

SENATE RESOLUTION 55

(By Senators Smith (Mr. President), Hamilton, Taylor, and Rucker)

[Introduced March 2, 2026]

Recognizing honeybees and their importance to agriculture and the economy in West Virginia.

Whereas, Agriculture depends greatly on honeybees for pollination and honeybees pollinate $15 billion worth of crops in the United States each year; and

Whereas, Many of West Virginia’s important crops, including fruits, vegetables, and grasses rely on honeybee pollination, and without such pollination there would be a significant decrease in crop yield. Pollinators contribute directly to food security, pollinating one-third of all food consumed; and

Whereas, West Virginia has both small hobbyist beekeepers maintaining only a few hives and full-scale commercial operations managing thousands of colonies, collectively supporting an estimated 16,000 honeybee colonies statewide; and

Whereas, These colonies produce at least 250,000 pounds of honey annually, contributing to the state’s agricultural economy and local food system; and  

Whereas, Honeybees are susceptible to diseases, parasites, habitat loss, and environmental stressors that have contributed to significant colony declines in recent decades; and

Whereas, Despite these challenges, West Virginia’s beekeepers have demonstrated perseverance in continuing to promote healthy pollinator populations; and

Whereas, Overly restrictive local ordinances have created challenges for the state’s beekeepers seeking to maintain honeybee colonies; and

Whereas, In 2002, the West Virginia Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 designating the honeybee as the official state insect, recognizing its vital role in the state’s agricultural heritage; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes honeybees and their importance to agriculture and the economy in West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate continues to support beekeepers and policies that promote healthy pollinator populations in the state; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of Agriculture.