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2007 Legislative Accomplishments
Michigan Business Tax (MBT)
The new MBT, replacement for the Single Business Tax (SBT), was signed into law on July 17. Agriculture and agricultural cooperatives were treated favorably, with farms remaining exempt from the new business tax.
Use Tax
Legislation was signed to repeal the new use tax placed on 23 specific services such as consulting and warehouse storage. The Use Tax would have put Michigan agriculture at a severe competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace.
Sugar Beet Loans
Legislation was passed to amend the Surplus Funds in Treasury Act by providing that the State Treasurer may extend the maturity date of the $5 million sugar beet cooperative loan issued in 2001 from five years to a maximum of ten years.
Food Law
The Legislature updated the Food Law, which was last revised in 2000. The updates are intended to address food safety issues and food standards that are more reflective of current food establishment practices, including adopting the 2005 version of the federal Food Code. Changes include requirements for accredited training in food safety programs and clarifications for single service, mobile food and bed and breakfast establishments.
The legislation also created the Dairy and food Safety Fund for receipt of fees and fines collected under the legislation versus the General Fund.
Fertilizer
Legislation was signed into law that revised the fertilizer law making it consistent with current practices and nationally accepted standards.
Hardship Exemptions in Estate Recovery
Agricultural hardships will be taken into consideration under legislation signed into law providing the state the ability to recover estates of recipients of Medicaid benefits.
Privately Owned Cervidae
Updates to the Privately Owned Cervidae Act were enacted, outlining more definitively the roles of the Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Department of Natural Resources with the industry, preserving all animal health decisions with the MDA.
