Sacramento, CA – Assembly Bill 1042, the Honeybee Health Act, authored by Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy), has officially passed the Legislature and is now headed to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
The measure creates California’s first-ever Managed Honeybee Health Program at the Department of Food and Agriculture, providing grants, incentives, and research to protect pollinators that sustain more than 100 crops across the state.
“Bees may be small, but they are the backbone of California’s agriculture and economy,” said Assemblymember Ransom. “By protecting pollinators, we’re protecting our food supply, our farmers, and the future of our state.”
A recent CalMatters feature highlighted the urgent need to protect California’s honeybees, citing rising threats from pests, disease, and climate pressures. Without action, experts warn, declining bee populations could devastate California’s multi-billion-dollar agricultural economy and food security.
Supported by the California Fresh Fruit Association, the California State Beekeepers Association, the Almond Alliance, and a wide coalition of growers, AB 1042 ensures California remains a leader in sustainable agriculture.
The bill is now on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for final consideration.
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