HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
REP. JULIE ALEXANDER
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
9:00 AM
Room 326, House Office Building
The House Committee on Agriculture was called to order by Chair Alexander.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Alexander, Posthumus, Bellino, Rendon, Filler, Carra, Garza, Cambensy,
Hope, Witwer, Puri.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Representative Rendon moved to adopt the meeting minutes from March 3, 2021. There being no
objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Representative Bellino moved to adopt the meeting minutes from March 4, 2021. There being no
objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid SB 186 before the committee:
SB 186
(Sen. Lauwers)
A bill to amend 2020 PA 220, entitled "Industrial
hemp growers act," by amending sections 103,
211, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 401, 403, 405,
407, 503, 505, 509, 511, 601, 603, 605, 607, and
609 (MCL 333.29103, 333.29211, 333.29301,
333.29303, 333.29305, 333.29307, 333.29309,
333.29311, 333.29401, 333.29403, 333.29405,
333.29407, 333.29503, 333.29505, 333.29509,
333.29511, 333.29601, 333.29603, 333.29605,
333.29607, and 333.29609) and by adding section
602 and chapter VIII; and to repeal acts and parts
of acts.
Nathan Kark and Gina Alessandri, representing the Michigan Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development, testified in support of SB 186. Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Posthumus explained his proposed amendment to SB 186.
Representative Posthumus offered the following amendment to SB 186:
1. Amend page 10, line 18, after "complaint," by inserting "the grower or the grower's
authorized agent must be present and".
Representative Bellino moved to adopt the amendment to SB 186. The motion prevailed 11-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Alexander, Posthumus, Bellino, Rendon, Filler, Carra, Garza, Cambensy, Hope,
Witwer, Puri.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Representative Bellino moved to report out SB 186 with recommendation, as amended. The
motion prevailed 10-1-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Alexander, Posthumus, Bellino, Rendon, Filler, Garza, Cambensy, Hope,
Witwer, Puri.
Nays: Rep. Carra.
Pass: None.
The following people submitted a card in support of SB 186, but did not wish to speak:
Rebecca Park, representing the Michigan Farm Bureau.
The Chair laid the presentation on the Value of Fairs and Events to Local Communities before
the committee.
Mike Szukhent, representing the Michigan Festivals and Events Association, provided a
presentation on the Value of Fairs and Events to Local Michigan Communities. Questions and
discussion followed.
Trish Steele, representing the Midland County Fair, provided a presentation on the Value of the
Midland County Fair to the Local Community.
Doug Burtch, representing the T.J. Schmidt Carnival, provided a presentation on the Value of
Amusement Providers to Local Michigan Communities. Questions and discussion followed.
There being no further business before the committee, Rep. Julie Alexander adjourned the
meeting at 9:57 AM.
Representative Julie Alexander, Chair
Dakota Soda
Committee Clerk
dsoda@house.mi.gov