_____________ joint resolution NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of pollinator population health.

WHEREAS, pollinators are critical for productive agriculture, although one-third of bees have disappeared in the United States since 2006; and

WHEREAS, pollinators, which include bees, butterflies, bats, and certain birds, are essential to at least one-third of the crops grown for human consumption; and

WHEREAS, in 2015 through 2016, 44% of the honeybee population in the United States died in one season; and

WHEREAS, pollinators are responsible for $235 billion to $577 billion in crops produced worldwide.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to investigate the health of Montana's pollinator populations, including evaluations of:

(1) relevant science and reports on pollinator health and trends in Montana;

(2) initiatives in other states to encourage and promote pollinator populations and health; and

(3) input from relevant stakeholders and state agencies.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2022.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 68th Legislature.