CONSERVATION, MAEAP MODIFICATIONS S.B. 494 (S-2):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 494 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Committee: Agriculture (discharged)
Appropriations
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:
-- Require, beginning April 1, 2022, the Environmental Assurance Advisory Council to provide biannually, or at the request of the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), recommendations to the Director and the Legislature on incentives and program modifications to increase participation in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).
-- Extend, from December 31, 2021, to December 31, 2025, a sunset on fees paid by various pesticide registrants and fertilizer licensees and deposited into the Freshwater Protection Fund.
-- Modify the definitions of "direct assistance" and "indirect assistance" for the purposes of spending money from the Freshwater Protection Fund.
MCL 324.8201 et al. Legislative Analyst: Jeff Mann
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a minimal fiscal impact on MDARD. The bill would extend a sunset on certain fees through the end of 2025, which would maintain the current level of revenue received by the Department, which has averaged $6.5 million annually in recent years.
Date Completed: 11-4-21 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker
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.