1. The Secretary of Agriculture in conjunction with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, and in cooperation with the New Jersey Beekeepers Association, the New Jersey Pest Management Association, and the New Jersey Cooperative Extension of Rutgers, The State University, shall, within 18 months after the effective date of this act, develop and adopt, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations to require certified commercial pesticide applicators and licensed commercial pesticide operators in the State to contact identified county, regional or State agricultural agencies to either obtain assistance in relocating specific honey bee colonies, or to seek approval to destroy the colonies, prior to extermination. The provisions of this section shall not apply to honey bee colonies found residing within buildings or other indoor structures. These rules and regulations shall establish the provisions necessary to effectuate the purpose of this section, and shall include any appropriate emergency health and safety exceptions, minimum response times for agricultural agencies or designated responders, as well as enforcement and penalty provisions for violations.

L.2007, c.271, s.1.