APPLICATION OF NATURAL FERTILIZER

Senate Bill 332

Sponsor:  Sen. John Moolenaar

House Committee:  Agriculture

Senate Committee:  Agriculture

Complete to 10-1-13

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 332 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 9-12-13

The bill would amend Part 85 (Fertilizers) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow the application a natural fertilizer to turf in specified amounts.

Currently, under Part 85, individuals are permitted to apply a finished sewage sludge product, organic manure, or manipulated manure to turf at a rate of not more than 0.25 pounds of phosphorus per 1,000 square feet at any one time.  The bill would reclassify the materials currently considered "finished sewage sludge products" as "biosolids" and continue to allow for their application; eliminate references to organic manure; and allow for the application of natural fertilizer.

"Natural fertilizer" would mean a substance composed only of natural organic, natural inorganic, or both types of fertilizer materials and natural filers.

"Biosolids" would mean a product consisting in whole or in part of sewage sludge that is distributed to the public and that is disinfected by means of composting, pasteurization, wet air oxidation, heat treatment, or other means.  These products are currently classified as "finished sewage sludge products" under Part 85 and would be reclassified as "biosolids" under the bill.

MCL 324.8501 and MCL 324.8512b

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Jeff Stoutenburg

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Susan Frey

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.