PREEMPT LOCAL SEED ORDINANCES

Senate Bill 777 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom

House Committee:  Agriculture

Senate Committee:  Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism

Complete to 4-17-06

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 777 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 3-30-06

The bill would amend the Michigan Seed Law to prohibit a local unit of government from adopting, maintaining, or enforcing an ordinance that prohibits or regulates the labeling, sale, storage, transportation, distribution, use, or planting of agricultural, vegetable, flower, turf grass, or forest tree seeds.  The prohibition would not, however, apply to ordinances prohibiting or regulating the use of certain plants for landscaping or prohibiting or regulating noxious or invasive plants.  The bill provides that the act's penalty provisions would not apply to a violation of the bill. 

In addition, the bill would repeal Section 16, which repealed Public Act 314 of 1923. 

MCL 286.714

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no apparent fiscal impact on the state or local units of government. 

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Mark Wolf

                                                                                               Fiscal Analyst:   William E. Hamilton

■ 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.