PESTICIDE CONTROL

Senate Bill 989 (Substitute H-1)

Sponsor: Sen. George A. McManus, Jr.

Addendum to SFA Analysis (3-14-02)

Senate Committee: Farming, Agribusiness and Food Systems

House Committee: Agriculture and Resource Management

ADDENDUM TO SENATE FISCAL AGENCY ANALYSIS OF SB 989 DATED 3-8-02

HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION:

The Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management adopted a substitute that incorporates one amendment. The bill would require a person who registers a pesticide to submit information necessary to determine the pesticide's mobility in the environment and its potential to contaminate groundwater. The committee amendment deleted a provision requiring that the information be consistent with criteria for designating a pesticide as a restricted use pesticide due to groundwater concerns as promulgated by rule. This is a technical amendment because there is no authority to promulgate rules under the referenced subsection, nor are there any existing rules promulgated pursuant to that subsection. Furthermore, it is no longer a practice of the federal Environmental Protection Agency to classify pesticides as restricted use.

The bill increases the registration fee for pesticides sold, offered for sale, or distributed, from $20 to $40. The committee rejected an amendment that would have set the registration fee at $30.

POSITIONS:

The Department of Agriculture supports the bill. (3-14-02)

The Michigan Farm Bureau supports the bill. (3-18-02)

The Michigan Agri-business supports the bill. (3-18-02)

Analyst: M. Wolf

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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.