FOOD PROCESSING COMPLAINTS:

DISPUTE RESOLUTION



Senate Bill 1025 with House committee

amendment

Addendum to SFA analysis (9-22-98)


Sponsor: Sen. Joel E. Gougeon

Senate Committee: Farming, Agribusiness

and Food Systems

House Committee: Agriculture



ADDENDUM TO SENATE FISCAL AGENCY ANALYSIS OF SB 1025 DATED 8-28-98:


HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION:


The House Agriculture Committee amended the bill to delete section 5, which would have required that persons who did not prevail in their nuisance lawsuits against food processors pay the costs and expenses, including "reasonable and actual attorney fees," that the food processor incurred in defending against the lawsuit.


POSITIONS:


The Department of Agriculture supports the bill. (9-17-98)


The Michigan Food Processors Association supports the bill. (9-17-98)


The Michigan Agribusiness Association supports the bill. (9-17-98)


The Michigan Farm Bureau supports the bill. (9-17-98)


The H. J. Heinz Company (which has a processing plant in Holland, Michigan) supports the bill. (9-17-98)









Analyst: S. Ekstrom



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.