MI HB5993

Establishes licensing fees for nursery operations: $100 annually for nursery growers/dealers, $40 for operations with less than 1/4 acre or 200 square feet of greenhouse space, and $35 registration fee for nursery dealers purchasing only in-state stock.

Creates the Agriculture Licensing and Inspection Fees Fund to receive and retain license fees, inspection fees, and fines, with money available upon appropriation for department administration and plant pest safeguarding programs.

Establishes a separate Horticulture Fund that may receive up to $70,000 annually from licensing fees to fund research projects, training programs, and outreach materials for plant pest protection, administered with advice from a horticultural advisory committee.

Requires the director to issue or deny licenses within 90 days of receiving a completed application, with a 30-day notification period for incomplete applications; failure to meet deadlines triggers a fee refund and 15% discount on the next renewal.

Exempts fruit growers selling surplus small fruit plants and farmers/persons selling wild shade trees, shrubs, vines, and evergreens from their own premises from licensing requirements.