MI HB4157

Amends the Julian-Stille Value-Added Act to establish an agricultural development grant fund administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture for value-added agricultural processing and related production operations.

Creates a competitive grant program with a maximum grant amount of $250,000, requiring at least 10% cash match from applicants and limiting overhead to 15% of grant amount.

Establishes a joint evaluation committee including at least 3 agricultural producers, an individual with scientific agriculture education, and an agricultural financial lender to review and score grant applications based on scientific merit, commercial merit, and ability to leverage additional funding.

Eliminates loan and loan guarantee provisions from the program and removes provisions allowing loans from the agricultural development fund.

Prohibits grant recipients from using funds for casino development under Michigan gaming laws or the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.