Leading Michigan farm and agribusiness organizations are emphasizing their support for legislation that keeps important environmental programs — like the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assistance Program (MAEAP) — funded and in place for years to come.
Senate Bill (SB) 273 — which passed the Senate 36-0 Thursday afternoon — was introduced by Sen. Kevin Daley and cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 14 Michigan senators. The measure extends the statutory sunset on key agricultural fees, including fertilizer sales and pesticide registration fees. It ensures the fees will continue to be collected at their current levels after the existing sunset date of Dec. 31, 2025.
“Thanks to our members’ clear policy direction and our organization’s strong relationships in the Senate, we supported the bipartisan passage of SB 273,” said MFB Legislative Counsel Rebecca Park.
“We appreciate the planning and dedication Sen. Daley brought to the bill, as his leadership was key in preventing consideration of last-minute legislation that would have increased fees for farmers and agribusinesses by up to 36%.”
Michigan Farm Bureau, the Michigan Agri-Business Association, Michigan Corn Growers Association and Michigan Soybean Association released a joint statement applauding the bill.
“Safeguarding the land and water in our state is a top priority for Michigan farmers and all those in the agriculture industry, so we strongly support SB 273, which will continue existing industry fees in support of key agricultural stewardship programs,” the groups wrote, thanking the cosponsors, especially Sens. Kevin Daley and John Cherry.
“These long-standing fees provide critical support for the statewide, voluntary activities of the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Nationally recognized as an innovative and proactive program, MAEAP allows farms of all sizes, regardless of commodities, to focus on practices meant to prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks.
“At a time when the agriculture industry is navigating substantial economic uncertainty, we are appreciative that SB 273 maintains fees at their current levels, avoiding new costs on Michigan farmers and agricultural businesses.”
According to MDARD tracking reports, over a million tons of sediment, 1.5 million pounds of phosphorus, and 3 million pounds of nitrogen have effectively been kept on farm fields and out of waterways over the last five years on an additional 10% of Michigan farmland added to the MAEAP verified list.