DEADLINES FOR AGRICULTURAL LICENSES

Senate Bill 1208 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Tony Stamas

Senate Bill 1211 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor: Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom

Senate Bill 1214 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor: Sen. Nancy Cassis

Senate Committee: Economic Development, Small Business, and Regulatory Reform

House Committee:  Agriculture and Resource Management

Complete to 6-28-04

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILLS 1208, 1211, AND 1214 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

Each of the bills would amend a different act to require that an application for a license, registration, or permit submitted after the bill’s effective date be issued within 90 days after the applicant submits a completed application.  If the Department of Agriculture (MDA) determined that an application was incomplete, the MDA would have to notify the applicant in writing, or make information electronically available, within 30 days, describing the deficiency and requesting the additional information.  If the MDA failed to grant or deny the application within the required time, it would have to return the applicant’s application fee and would discount the next renewal fee by 15 percent. 

In addition, beginning in 2005, the MDA would be required to report to the legislature by December 1 of each year the following:  (1) the number of applications received and completed within the required time; (2) the number of applications denied; (3) the number of applicants not issued a permit or license within the required time; and the amount of money returned to applicants.

Senate Bill 1208 would amend the Grade A Milk Law of 2001 (MCL 208.503a) concerning licenses for milk plants, receiving stations, transfer stations, tank truck cleaning facilities, milk transportation companies, milk tank trucks, distributors primarily engaged in distributing finished Grade A milk, single service container and closure manufacturers, and haulers/samplers to pick up Grade A milk in a farm pickup milk tank.

Senate Bill 1211 would amend Public Act 284 of 1937 (MCL 287.123) concerning dealer, broker, agent, livestock auction, collecting point/buying station, and horse auction licenses.

Senate Bill 1214 would amend Public Act 287 of 1969 (MCL 334) concerning licenses to operate a pet shop. 

FISCAL IMPACT:

For each of the bills, there would be no fiscal impact on the state or on local governmental units.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Mark Wolf

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kirk Lindquist

■ 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.