SMALL HONEY & SYRUP PRODUCERS H.B. 5843 (H-1):
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 5843 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Vicki Barnett
House Committee: Agriculture
Senate Committee: Agriculture and Bioeconomy
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Food Law to exempt from licensure retail outlets and processing facilities for producers with gross sales of $15,000 or less of honey or maple syrup, if the honey or syrup met certain labeling requirements.
The bill is tie-barred to House Bills 5280 and 5837, which would amend the Food Law to exempt a cottage food operation from the licensure and evaluation requirements of the Law, if the products were prepackaged and sold in person, indicated that they were homemade, and met other labeling requirements. Gross sales of cottage food products at a particular cottage food operation could not exceed $15,000 annually.
MCL 289.4105 Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
The tie-barred bills would have a minimal fiscal impact on the State. By exempting a certain segment of those engaged in food sales from obtaining a $70 annual food handling license, bills could result in a reduction in fee revenue used to fund food inspections, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The Department states that there are 1,165 small food processors and, of that total, 460 are processors of maple syrup, jams/jellies, and honey. It is estimated that 50% of the 460 could leave the system at $70 per license.
Date Completed: 7-22-10 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5843/0910