2005 Senate Bill 226 / Public Act 47

Establish agriculture and rural community commission

Introduced in the Senate

Feb. 17, 2005

Introduced by Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-25)

To establish a state agriculture and rural community advisory council to evaluate and recommend changes in how state laws, rules, and policies affect farmers, food processors, agribusiness, and rural communities.

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism

April 12, 2005

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

April 19, 2005

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that would establish a less formal "roundtable" (rather than a permanent advisory commission) comprised of representatives of named interest groups selected by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality (rather than by legislative leaders), to discuss how the laws, rules, and policies administered by the DEQ affect farmers, food processors, agribusiness, and rural communities.

The substitute passed by voice vote

April 20, 2005

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To establish a rural community advisory "roundtable" comprised of representatives of named interest groups selected by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, to discuss with the DEQ in public twice each year how the laws, rules, and policies it administers affect farmers, food processors, agribusiness, and rural communities.

Received in the House

April 20, 2005

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture

May 18, 2005

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-4) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 26, 2005

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that incorporates technical changes resulting from committee testimony and deliberation, but subsequently superceded by the Nitz substitute.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Neal Nitz (R-78)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that adds two additional local government members to the "roundtable".

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Dudley Spade (D-57)

To eliminate a definition of "rural county" as one containing less than 70,000 in population, and simply require the local governments represented at the "roundtable" to be in "rural areas".

Consideration postponed

May 31, 2005

Amendment offered by Rep. Dudley Spade (D-57)

The amendment failed 55 to 51 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Steve Bieda (D-25)

To also require the "roundtable" to discuss "concentrated animal feeding operations" (CAFOs), which are large livestock farms.

The amendment failed 44 to 62 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Steve Bieda (D-25)

To also require the "roundtables" to have representatives from environmental organizations.

The amendment failed by voice vote

June 1, 2005

Passed in the House 85 to 19 (details)

To establish a rural community advisory "roundtable" comprised of representatives of named interest groups selected by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, to discuss with the DEQ in public twice each year how the laws, rules, and policies it administers affect farmers, food processors, agribusiness, and rural communities.

Received in the Senate

June 2, 2005

June 7, 2005

Passed in the Senate 34 to 0 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

June 16, 2005