MI HB4116

Amends the Julian-Stille value-added act to eliminate references to loans and loan guarantees, focusing the agricultural development grant fund solely on grants for value-added agricultural processing and related agricultural production operations.

Establishes the agricultural development grant fund as a revolving fund within the Department of Treasury, administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, with maximum grants not exceeding $250,000.

Creates a joint evaluation committee with at least 3 agricultural producers, a scientific agriculture educator, and an agricultural financial lender to evaluate grant proposals using approved selection criteria and scoring systems.

Requires grants to include competitive selection processes emphasizing scientific and technical merit, commercial merit, and ability to leverage additional funding, with applicants required to provide a minimum 10% cash match.

Prohibits grant recipients from using funds for casino development under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, or any other gaming enterprise.