DELAY SUNSET FOR VARIOUS AG. FEES H.B. 4849 (H-3), 4860 (H-3), & 4862 (S-1)- 4864 (H-3): FLOOR ANALYSIS
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House Bill 4849 (Substitute H-3 as reported without amendment) (as passed by the Senate)
House Bill 4860 (Substitute H-3 as reported without amendment) (as passed by the Senate)
House Bill 4862 (Substitute S-1 as reported) (as passed by the Senate)
House Bill 4863 (Substitute H-3 as reported without amendment) (as passed by the Senate)
House Bill 4864 (Substitute H-3 as reported without amendment) (as passed by the Senate)
Sponsor: Representative Shanelle Jackson (H.B. 4849) Representative Paul Condino (H.B. 4860 & 4862) Representative Bert Johnson (H.B. 4863 & 4864)
House Committee: Appropriations
Senate Committee: Appropriations

CONTENT
The five bills listed above would postpone the sunsets on the current level of various fees being charged by the Department of Agriculture. Under current law, the fees are scheduled to be reduced on September 30, 2007. These bills would extend the present fees until September 30, 2012. The table below outlines the fees involved.


Fee Pre-Sunset After Sunset
Pesticide Applicator $50 $10
Pet Shop License Application $200 $150
Pet Shop License Renewal $100 $ 0
Nursery License $100 $50
Plant Growers or Dealers License $100 $20
Small Grower License $40 $ 0
Horse Riding Stable License $100 $25
Horse Riding Stable License Renewal $50 $25
Class I - Livestock Auction License $400 $ 0
Class II - Livestock Collection Point/Buying Station License $250 $ 0
Class III - Horse Auction $150 $ 0
Class IV - Livestock Dealer/Broker/Agent $50 $ 5

House Bill 4862 (S-1) also would establish the "Agriculture Licensing and Inspection Fees Fund" to receive revenue from these fees as well as civil and administrative fines. Under current law, the revenue is deposited into the General Fund and credited to the Department.


In addition, House Bill 4862 (S-1) would delay the sunset on the Horticulture Fund. Under current law, the Horticulture Fund receives $70,000 per year of fee revenue to be used for horticulture research projects and will sunset September 30, 2007. The bill would postpone the sunset until September 30, 2012, to match the fee sunset.


MCL 324.8317 (H.B. 4849) 287.334 & 287.339b (H.B. 4860) 286.206 et al. (H.B. 4862) 287.113 (H.B. 4863) 287.123 (H.B. 4864)






FISCAL IMPACT

The bills would prevent a reduction of $500,000 in the Department's revenue by extending the current fee schedule for five years.


The other four bills are tie-barred to House Bill 4862.


Date Completed: 9-25-07 Fiscal Analyst: Debra Hollon

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb4849etal./0708