AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT H.B. 5555 (H-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5555 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment) Sponsor: Representative Mike Green
House Committee: Agriculture and Forestry Senate Committee: Agriculture and Forestry
The bill would create the “Michigan Aquaculture Development Act” to establish and regulate aquaculture as an agricultural enterprise in the State and to do the following:
-- Establish a list of approved species for aquacultural production.
-- Prohibit a person from engaging in aquaculture unless he or she obtained a registration from the Department of Agriculture as an aquaculture facility or obtained an aquaculture research permit. The bill also would provide for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a registration or permit under certain circumstances.
-- Establish fees for an initial application for or renewal of an aquaculture facility registration and an aquaculture research permit.
-- Provide for the inspection by the Department of Agriculture of an aquaculture facility or confinement research facility.
-- Establish penalties for violations of the bill or a rule promulgated under it.
The bill would take effect 90 days after being enacted.
Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
It is believed that there are 100 aquaculture businesses in Michigan, which would produce revenue to the State of $10,000 (100 x $100) the first year and $7,500 (100 x $75) each year thereafter. The Department of Agriculture would have additional licensing and regulating duties, which would be accomplished through an existing program manager and the addition of about a half clerical position and some contractual services, supplies and materials paid from the new revenues. There would be no fiscal impact on local governments.
Date Completed: 4-24-96 Fiscal Analyst: A. Rich
floor\hb5555
This 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.