Burgaw, NC, pop 3500+-, is proposing an anti-beekeeping law. A newly-formed bee club in the area will be affected. I was told that a new beekeeper who had just completed the bee school approached the town council(or maybe it's county commissioners) to ask permission to keep a couple of hives. They refused her request.(I never would have asked...you know, the forgiveness/permission thing)) I don't know the details, but apparently the Town Council(or County commissioners) has determined that any beekeeping is a commercial agricultural enterprise and therefore is unwelcome in the town. I guess this applies to 1-2-hive backyard-hobbyist owners, as well as any larger apiaries. They are having a meeting next Thursday(Mar 20) night. I can't go, but I hope any beekeeper who can will attend. I live in Lenoir County, some 50 miles away, but these things have a way of spreading.
I'm not sure what planet these town council members are from. They need some education about the importance of bees and need to get over their over-cautious fears.