From committee hearings to floor votes, Michigan Farm Bureau has been engaged as lawmakers consider several pieces of environmental and regulatory legislation this spring.
Whether supporting reforms that make permitting more efficient or opposing proposals that would expand state agency authority, the organization is ensuring farmers have a voice at every step of the legislative process.
“There's been a flurry of legislative activity around environmental permitting and regulatory reform, particularly in the state House,” said MFB Associate Legislative Counsel Josh Scramlin. “We’ve tracked these bills closely and are working with legislators to ensure farmers' perspectives are part of the conversation.”
Scramlin said many of the proposals reflect concerns members have consistently raised during county Farm Bureau events and meetings across the state.
“Legislators are hearing directly from farmers back in their districts about the need for a permitting process that is more predictable, transparent and efficient,” Scramlin said. “The number of bills introduced this year shows those conversations are translating into legislative action.”
Among the proposals are bills relating to wetlands reforms and permitting, administrative oversight, and state agency rulemaking authority.
Wetlands and permit reform
MFB supports several bills to modernize the state’s wetlands regulations and improve the permitting process.
Introduced by Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare), House Bill 5082 would require the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to complete wetland assessments within 60 days while prohibiting the department from charging assessment fees. The bill advanced from the House Natural Resources and Tourism Committee in late April and awaits action by the full House.
House Bills 5501-5502, sponsored by Reps. Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville) and Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan), would allow wetlands to be relocated or replaced within development projects. House Bill 5536, introduced by Rep. David Martin, would align Michigan's wetland definition with federal standards established by the U.S. Supreme Court's Sackett v. EPA decision. All three bills passed the House on June 4 and now await consideration by the Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee.
House Bill 5498 introduced by Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), would require state agencies to assign permit reviewers to a single subject area, allowing staff to develop greater expertise and helping improve consistency throughout the permitting process. The bill also passed the House on June 4 and has been referred to the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee.
Administrative oversight
MFB also supports House Bills 5815-5818, a four-bill package to strengthen legislative and judicial oversight of state agencies. The legislation passed the House on June 11 and now awaits consideration by the Senate Government Operations Committee.
Sponsored by Reps. Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville), Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Twp), Joseph Aragona (R-Clinton Twp), and Bill Schuette (R-Midland), the bills would require courts to independently interpret laws and administrative rules rather than deferring to state agencies, establish additional review requirements for major administrative rules with significant economic or social impacts, and create a legislative committee to review whether proposed rules comply with legislative intent and established rulemaking procedures.
MFB has long supported efforts to improve state agency regulatory programs by ensuring they are efficient, transparent and science-based while helping farmers remain productive and competitive.
Opposing expanded rulemaking authority
MFB also opposes legislation that would expand the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s authority beyond current law.
Senate Bill 711, sponsored by Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield), would grant EGLE rulemaking authority under Part 31 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which governs water resources protection. The legislation advanced from the Senate Energy and Environment Committee on May 14 and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
“This proposal is nearly identical to legislation we successfully opposed during the last legislative session,” Scramlin said. “Our members have consistently supported maintaining legislative oversight of these regulations.”
MFB is joined by numerous agricultural and business groups in opposing the bill.
Legislative next steps
With several House-passed bills now awaiting Senate action, Scramlin said Farm Bureau will continue engaging lawmakers as the legislative process moves forward.
“Our role is to make sure lawmakers understand how these proposals affect farmers,” Scramlin said. “Whether we're supporting reforms that improve the permitting process or opposing legislation that would increase regulatory burdens, we're working to ensure agriculture has a strong voice throughout the process.”