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Stewardship bill passes Michigan House

Legislation funding Michigan’s voluntary environmental stewardship program passed in the State House this week.  Representative Dan Lauwers, Chair of the House Agriculture Committee and sponsor of HB-4391, says it now moves to the Michigan Senate.

“The bill was passed by the full House exactly how it was reported out of the House Ag Committee so we had great support.”

The bill passed on a vote of 61-48, with one member not voting. The legislation renews and expands funding for the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program as part of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

Lauwers expects the legislation to move through the Senate fairly quickly.

“They’re aware, very aware, of everything we’ve gone through working with the various agricultural commodity groups.”  He tells Brownfield, “We expect that the Senate will report out their bill within the next week.”

Lauwers is concerned about Michigan’s asparagus industry.  He says his committee is looking into what they can do to help the industry find labor.  He estimates asparagus growers that haven’t found enough harvest workers have lost a half a million dollars so far this season.

AUDIO: Interview with Representative Lauwers (2:27 mp3):