LIMIT COUNTY AGRICULTURE ADVANTAGES TAX

House Bill 5666

Sponsor:  Rep. Rick Outman

Committee:  Agriculture

Complete to 6-12-14

A REVISED SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5666 AS INTRODUCED 6-12-14

Public Act 88 of 1913 allows counties to levy a special tax up to five cents per $100 of taxable property, or to appropriate money from the county general fund, for the purposes of promoting the agricultural advantages of that county or region, putting on an exhibition of products and industries, increasing trade and encouraging immigration, and advertising for tourism.

House Bill 5666 would amend the act to require that a county levying the special tax as have a population of more than 325,000 and less than 375,000. Currently, there is no population criteria contained in the act. Only Washtenaw County, with a population of 344,207 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, would meet the requirement contained in the bill.

MCL 46.161

FISCAL IMPACT:

As noted in the fiscal impact for House Bill 5379, which proposes to repeal this tax, the levy is in use in at least one county, Washtenaw. Based on FY2013-14 estimates, the levy would generate $938,000 in Washtenaw County. The 0.0700 mill levy in Washtenaw County is approximately 1.5% of its total operating levy.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Jim Stansell               

■ 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.