CROP DESTRUCTION
House Bill 5136
Sponsor: Rep. Tom Meyer
Committee: Agriculture and Resource Management
Complete to 10-17-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5136 AS INTRODUCED 10-3-01
House Bill 5136 would amend the Revised Judicature Act to state that any person who intentionally damages or destroys all or part of a field crop belonging to another person produced for personal purposes, commercial purposes, or crop research or testing, would be liable in a civil action for any damages incurred. In addition to awarding the prevailing party any costs and fees associated with the legal action, the court would also award damages for twice the market value of the field crop damaged or destroyed and the value attributed to the crop research, if applicable. Further, the court would be required to award the reasonable costs of expert witnesses, and the reasonable cost of studies, analyses, engineering reports, tests, or projects necessary for the preparation of the case.
"Field crop" would be defined to mean plants that include, but are not limited to, those considered to be and grown as production crops, ornamentals, vegetables, turf, horticultural crops, industrial crops, plants grown for the production of pharmaceuticals or similar use, seed production crops, and live stock and animal feed crops.
MCL 600.2972
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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.