FY 2005-06 AGRICULTURE BUDGET S.B. 264 (S-2): SENATE-PASSED






Senate Bill 264 (S-2 as passed by the Senate)
Committee: Appropriations

FY 2004-05 Year-to-Date Gross Appropriation $126,108,300


Changes from FY 2004-05 Year-to-Date:
  1. State Fair. Transfer of Michigan State Fair to DMB pursuant to P.A. 468 of 2004. (5,486,100)
2. Food Bank. The Governor transferred the Michigan Agricultural Surplus System grant to the Department of Human Services. The Senate restores the funding in the agriculture budget. 0
3. Detroit Casino Revenue. The Governor reduced appropriations from the Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund to redirect a portion of the Detroit casino tax to the General Fund. The Senate maintains the $6.1 million in the budget. One-time funding in the current year ($3.0 million) for capital improvements at tracks is redirected to purses/breeders awards. 0
4. Motor Fuel Quality Inspection. The Governor reduced $1.3 million included in the current budget for enhanced motor fuel quality inspection activity. The Senate restores the funding. 0
5. Emerald Ash Borer. Reduction of 43 full-time positions and associated Federal funding to reflect program maturation and the increased use of "trap trees" as a method of surveillance. (1,849,000)
6. Cervidae Licensing and Registration Fee Increase. The Governor proposed a fee increase, program increase (3.0 FTE and $74,300), and funding shift associated with privately-owned cervidae facilities. The Senate rejects the Governor's proposal and replaces fees with GF/GP. 0
7. Information Technology. A 2% reduction GF/GP for Information Technology projects. (6,000)
8. Management Services. The Senate reduces funding for central services. (240,200)
9. Office of Racing Commissioner Reduction. Funding is reduced and transferred to various operating line items to replace GF/GP appropriations. (500,000)
10. Migrant Labor Housing Grants. Cost share grant program eliminated. (255,000)
11. Future Farmers Grant. Grant to Michigan State University eliminated. (60,000)
12. Communications Program. Position eliminated. (145,600)
13. Conservation Districts. The Senate reduces the base grant from $19,200 to $19,000. (16,700)
14. Agriculture Commission. The Senate eliminates travel reimbursement for the Agriculture Commission. (29,500)
15. Export Market Development. The Senate eliminates funding for export promotion. (50,000)
16. Pollution Prevention Program. Federal technical assistance grants to conservation districts. 400,000
17. Funding Shifts. Restricted funding from the State Services Fee Fund is used to replace GF/GP appropriations ($1.5 million) throughout the budget. 0
18. Economic Adjustments. Standard adjustments applied to all budgets. 4,156,400
19. Other Changes. Adjustments for E.O. 2005-7, P.A. 11 of 2005 and other changes. (1,664,400)
20. Comparison to Governor. The Senate recommendation is $7.3 million Gross and $87,100 GF/GP over the Governor.
Total Changes ($5,746,100)
  FY 2005-06 Senate Gross Appropriation $120,362,200
FY 2005-06 AGRICULTURE BUDGET BOILERPLATE HIGHLIGHTS

Changes from FY 2004-05 Year to Date:
  1. Deleted Sections. The following current-year sections are deleted: State restricted fund carryforward balances (211), unspent compulsive gaming funds (216), employee turnover savings (222), statistical reporting service annual survey (303), animal health outbreaks (452), pesticide applicator training grant to MSU (501), migrant labor housing grants (602), grape and wine industry council grants (701), Future Farmers of America grant (703), horse racing revenue year-end balance estimate (813), grants to horse racing tracks for capital improvements (815), racehorse rehabilitation program grant (816).
2. Contingency Funds. The Governor's budget included language authorizing State, Federal, private, and local contingency funds. (Sec. 212) The Senate does not include this language.
3. Employee Disciplinary Action. The Senate includes new language to prohibit the Department from taking disciplinary action against an employee for communicating with the legislature. (Sec. 224)
4. Competitive Livestock Grants. The Governor's budget reduces the grant program from $120,000 to $40,000. The Senate concurs. (Sec. 809)
5. Large Livestock and Equine Exhibitions. The Governor's budget includes a new program for State premiums paid to large livestock and equine exhibitions held by statewide associations. The Senate concurs. (Sec. 808)

Date Completed: 6-20-05 Fiscal Analyst: Craig Thiel Bill Analysis @ http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa June 20, 2005 This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations. HIagr_sp