SB-0226, As Passed Senate, April 20, 2005

SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 226

     A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding part 23.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

PART 23. AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

     Sec. 2301. As used in this part:

     (a) "Department" means the department of environmental

quality.

     (b) "Director" means the director of the department.

     (c) "Roundtable" means the agriculture and rural communities

roundtable convened under section 2303.

     (d) "Rural community" means a county with a population of less

than 70,000.

     (e) "Standing committees" means the committees of the senate

and house of representatives with primary responsibility for

agriculture.

     Sec. 2303. (1) The director shall convene an agriculture and

rural communities roundtable to discuss how the laws, rules, and

policies administered by the department affect farmers, food

processors, agribusiness, and rural communities.

     (2) The director shall invite at least all of the following to

participate in the roundtable:

     (a) Two individuals from an association representing farmers.

     (b) Two individuals from an association representing food

processors.

     (c) Two individuals from an association representing

agribusiness.

     (d) One individual from an association representing local

units of government in rural areas.

     (3) Before extending invitations to participate in the

roundtable, the director shall consult with the chairpersons of

standing committees.

     Sec. 2305. (1) The first meeting of the roundtable shall be

convened by the director within 90 days after the effective date of

the amendatory act that added this section.

     (2) The director shall convene the roundtable at least twice

each calendar year, except that if the amendatory act that added

this section takes effect after September 30, the roundtable shall

convene at least once the first calendar year.  The roundtable may

advise the director on the need for a more frequent meeting

schedule.

     (3) The meetings of the roundtable shall be open to the

general public and shall be held in a place available to the

general public.

     (4) The department shall provide notice of each meeting of the

roundtable by posting on the department website and such other

means as the department determines appropriate.

     (5) At least 1 meeting of the roundtable each year shall be

held in a rural community.  At such a meeting, the public shall be

provided an opportunity to address the roundtable on issues within

its purview.

     (6) The department shall prepare a summary of each meeting of

the roundtable including a department response to issues raised

during the roundtable meeting.  The department shall do both of the

following:

     (a) Post the summary on its website.

     (b) Provide a copy of the summary to the members of the

roundtable, to any member of the public requesting a copy, and to

the standing committees.