After passing the State House in early September, legislation aimed at protecting farm families from steep penalties following a work-related death involving an immediate family member is now under consideration by the Senate Labor Committee.
During its Oct. 23 hearing, committee members heard testimony from the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), who appeared alongside Michigan Farm Bureau Associate Legislative Counsel Josh Scramlin. It is unclear when a committee vote will occur.
House Bill 4017 — legislation MFB has advocated for in support of for nearly five years — seeks to amend Michigan’s current farm fatality reporting law under MIOSHA. The organization remains hopeful it will cross the finish line this session.
“More than 40 legislators from both parties signed on as co-sponsors when the bill was introduced,” Scramlin said, noting the cooperation that continued when it passed the House on an 80–25 vote. “The Senate hearing reflects the ongoing bipartisan efforts that have helped move this issue forward throughout the legislative session.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to Representative Neyer for sponsoring the legislation and to Senator Cherry for holding a committee hearing.”
Scramlin shared the story of Lenawee County farmer Keith Eisenmann, who tragically lost his life in an accident on his family’s farm. His family’s experience prompted efforts to change the state’s reporting requirements.
“Following Keith’s death, MIOSHA imposed fines totaling $12,000 on his grieving family — primarily for not reporting the incident to the state within eight hours,” Scramlin said. “House Bill 4017 addresses this issue by reducing the monetary penalties MIOSHA can levy on a family farm after the loss of a close family member due to a farm-related accident.”
Scramlin emphasized that the bill does not remove the reporting requirement. It applies only when the accident occurs on a farm owned by the directly impacted family and involves the death of an immediate family member.
“We fully acknowledge the vital role that MIOSHA plays in protecting workers and agree that timely reporting is important to ensure unsafe conditions aren’t overlooked,” Scramlin said. “Farming is, by nature, a hazardous profession. Daily tasks such as working with livestock, operating heavy machinery, and conducting building maintenance inherently carry risk.
“However, we firmly believe that imposing significant fines on grieving families does nothing to prevent future accidents and only adds more pain to an already traumatic situation.”
While the hearing marks important progress, it remains unclear if or when the Senate committee will take a vote on the measure.
To view Neyer and Scramlin’s testimony, start around the 14:50 mark in the Senate TV recording. You can also watch the Eisenmann family’s earlier testimony before the House Agriculture Committee around the 44:45 mark in the House TV recording.
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