Upon determination that any hive containing bees is not constructed with removable frames, the Secretary or the Secretary’s inspector may: (1) order the owner to immediately transfer the bees to a hive with removable frames; or (2) grant the owner an extension for a specific period of time after which the owner must transfer the bees to a hive with removable frames. (b) The Secretary may, by rule, create a permit program to allow persons to operate hives without removable frames for exhibition purposes. The owner of such a hive will not be in violation of this section provided that the owner holds a valid permit and is in compliance with all applicable rules that the Secretary may adopt. (c) Upon determination that an owner has violated the terms of this section or any rule adopted pursuant to this section, the Secretary may destroy the hive or hives. Any determination of a violation shall be appealable to the Secretary, who shall provide the owner a hearing within 10 days after the determination ction, the Secretary may destroy the hive or hives. Any determination of a violation shall be appealable to the Secretary, who shall provide the owner a hearing within 10 days after the determination of the violation, during which the order to destroy shall be stayed. (Added 1983, No. 83, § 1; amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2015, No. 23, § 77; 2023, No. 6, § 60, eff. July 1, 2023; 2023, No. 73, § 12, eff. July 1, 2023.)
Vermont Legal Code