MI HB4546

Establishes a potato industry commission within the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, composed of nine appointed members representing snack potato, seed potato, fresh potato, shipper, and retailer interests, plus two ex officio non-voting members.

Imposes assessments on growers with 20 or more acres (up to 5.5 cents per hundredweight) and shippers (up to 1.5 cents per hundredweight), with shippers required to deduct grower assessments from payments and remit to the commission.

Authorizes the commission to foster potato industry development through research, promotion, advertising, market expansion, education, and dissemination of industry information.

Requires assessment increases above the current rate to be authorized through referendum with approval from more than 50% of growers by number representing more than 50% of production volume.

Mandates a continuation referendum every 5 years where growers vote on whether the commission shall continue operations; if a majority by number representing a majority of hundredweight sold votes against continuation, the commission ceases operations and transfers assets to Michigan State University for potato research.