MICHIGAN SEED LAW: TESTING LABORATORY

House Bill 5392 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Brett Roberts

Committee:  Agriculture

Complete to 3-8-16

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5392 would amend Section 11 of the Michigan Seed Law with regard to responsibilities assigned to the director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). At present, the law requires the director to, among other things, maintain a seed testing laboratory and facilities with all necessary equipment and analysts, inspectors, assistants, and other personnel necessary for proper enforcement of the act, and to incur expenses as necessary for the act. The bill would instead allow, rather than require, these efforts. The director would continue to have a statutory obligation to sample, inspect, analyze, and test any seed defined in the act that is sold or offered for sale in Michigan.

The bill also would delete a provision requiring the director to promulgate rules to establish inspection fees, although rules for seed testing (germination, purity, etc.) would continue to be required.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

MCL 286.711

FISCAL IMPACT:

A fiscal analysis is in progress.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:  Josh Roesner

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:  William E. Hamilton

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