HB 4751 Summary

• Amends Michigan's Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining Act to regulate producer associations, handlers, and agricultural commodity marketing practices.

• Prohibits handlers from coercing producers regarding association membership, discriminating based on association membership, or refusing to bargain with accredited associations; prohibits associations from discriminating against producers or refusing to bargain with handlers.

• Establishes accreditation process for producer associations requiring bylaws ensuring democratic governance, marketing contracts with over 50% of eligible producers covering over 50% of commodity volume, and a marketing and bargaining committee elected by members.

• Creates mandatory mediation and arbitration procedures when handlers and accredited associations fail to reach agreement by the marketing period start date, including formation of joint settlement committees that issue binding awards based on market prices, production volumes, producer costs, and competitive factors.

• Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to investigate unfair practice complaints, hold hearings, issue cease-and-desist orders, and determine whether expense costs are borne by violators; allows court of appeals review of department orders and arbitration awards under specified grounds.