§ 4:6-23 — Penalty for destruction of man-made native bee hive; definitions.

1. a. Any person who intentionally destroys a man-made native bee hive shall be liable to a civil penalty of up to $500 for each offense. b. Any penalty imposed pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be collected in a civil action by a summary proceeding under the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.) or in any case before a court of competent jurisdiction wherein injunctive relief has been requested. The Superior Court and municipal court shall have jurisdiction to enforce the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999" in connection with this act. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues shall constitute an additional, separate and distinct offense. Penalties recovered for violations of this section shall be remitted to the Department of Agriculture and expended on programs to manage or revive honey bee or native bee populations in the State. c. As used in this section: "Man-made native bee hive" means a tube or other apparatus in which bees may nest, and which is installed to attract native bees other than honeybees. "Native bee" means a bee of a species that is native to the State and does not produce honey, but provides for the pollination of crops or plants, or other agricultural, environmental, or horticultural benefits. L.2015, c.77, s.1.