SB 2018-157: Save the Bees Act (Final Vote)

[Senator Spiral]

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Sponsor: Siren

[Anna Komnene]

President fhtagn came to me with this bill, and I was happy to sponsor it for her. If she wants to make a statement supporting, it I definitely welcome that.

Bees are an underappreciated part of our way of life. As outlined in the findings section of this bill, between pollinating plants and flowers and making honey, they are basically a lynchpin of our agricultural economy and food supply. Without bees, a lot of foods and products that have become staples of our culture would be endangered - everything from broccoli to different kinds of berries and cherries. Honey is an important staple in many recipes and has also been commonly used health recipes. Ever got a bad cough and picked up some honey cough drops at the store? Enough said. Cartoons like Winnie the Pooh are totally based on honey. It would be a big blow to our culture if bees were no longer able to produce it.

Flowers are also just important for human happiness. The practice of growing, picking, and gifting flowers has gone back centuries. Whether it's stepping outside to see a patch of flowers or bringing a smile to the face of that special someone, drawing paintings like Van Gogh's masterpiece or writing poetry like William Wordsworth's ode to the Daffodil, flowers are pretty much a staple of our history and culture too.

The part about declining songbird populations was especially touching to me because as my dad has gotten older, feeding the birds at his house as become one of his favorite pastimes. In the times I've visited, it's become really special to me too. They're almost like a bunch of outdoor pets that come by everyday. I feel like these regulations from the SoIA office would be a big step toward helping to reverse the decline of bees and songbirds. It will protect our economy, preserve our culture, and maintain the natural beauty of the Earth.

Hopefully we'll be able to pass this bill together to ensure that the bees can keep on working hard to preserve all of those things.

[fhtagn]

I do not have too much else to add, as Siren touched on some of the biggest points for why I wanted to bring up this bill.

What I also want to draw attention to, which Siren briefly touched up on, and is outlined in the bill, is that billions of dollars, and the livelihoods of our nation's farmers and our people who consume their crops depend heavily on these pollinators. Not only is this a common sense bill to protect our environment and threatened species, but it protects our economy as well.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Mmm I like it

[Pericles]

This bill has my strong support.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

This bill is an absolute necessity for the well being of our country.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

This bill is an absolute necessity for the well being of our country.

[Pericles]

This bill is an absolute necessity for the well being of our country.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Let’s get ‘er done

[Senator Spiral]

I'll chime in here and say that this shouldn't be very controversial. Gotta protect that ecosystem of ours. It naturally has my support.

If nobody in the Senate objects in the next 24 hours, I'll start a final vote promptly.

[Senator Spiral]

The bill is now up for a final vote. Senators have the next 72 hours to vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

[cinyc]

Aye

[Pericles]

Aye.

[Anna Komnene]

AYE

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye!

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Aye!

[Anna Komnene]

With 5 votes in favor and 1 not voting, this bill passes the Atlasian Senate.

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People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0-1 in the Atlasian Senate assembled

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