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Legislative updates for February 2025

Image credit: Courtesy Photo
Date Posted: January 30, 2025

This update includes recently introduced bills and those moving through the legislative process. Michigan Farm Bureau’s positions are rooted in the organization’s member-developed policy

Earned Sick Time and Minimum Wage

House Bills 4001 and 4002, supported by Michigan Farm Bureau, would make several significant changes to the state’s workforce law. House Bill 4001 would repeal the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act and amend the Workforce Opportunity Wage Act, moderating the annual increases to Michigan’s minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by 2029, while maintaining the tipped minimum wage at 38% of the general wage.

House Bill 4002 would amend the Earned Sick Time Act by raising the threshold for covered employers to those with 50 or more employees, effectively exempting smaller businesses like family farms. It would also introduce several exemptions, including for employees who work fewer than 25 hours per week, those working 25 weeks or less in a benefit year, and certain variable hour employees.

The bills passed the House (63-41) on January 23 and await committee referral in the Senate.

Related MFB news stories: 

Farm Bureau backs House bill to fix earned sick time for small businesses – Jan. 17

MI farm and rural business groups renew call for Legislature to fix earned sick time – Jan. 28

Contact: Rob Anderson

Farmland

Senate Bill 16, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Daley (R-Lum), proposes an amendment to the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act (PA 116). The bill would allow up to one acre of land to be removed from an agricultural conservation easement or development rights agreement if the adjustment would create more regular boundary lines of the land subject to the easement or agreement. The legislation, supported by Farm Bureau, has been referred to the Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee. 

Contact: Rebecca Park

Land Division

Senate Bill 23, introduced by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), proposes an amendment to the Land Division Act. The bill would allow local governments to authorize additional partitioning or splitting of a parcel into more parcels than currently permitted if the land has not been used as farmland in the past three years. Aligned with its policy supporting dense communities, Farm Bureau supports the legislation. The bill has been referred to the Senate Local Government Committee.

Contact: Rebecca Park

Land Sales to Foreign Entities

Senate Bill 10, sponsored by Sen. Joe Bellino, Jr. (R-Monroe), would allow foreign governments that own or hold farmland before October 1, 2023, to retain their existing land but prohibit them from purchasing or acquiring additional farmland. Farm Bureau supports the bill's concept. The legislation has been referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee.

Contact: Rebecca Park

Chickens in Residential Areas

House Bill 4049, introduced by Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton), would explicitly allow the rearing of egg-laying hens on properties of at least 1/4 acre. The bill permits a maximum of five hens per 1/4 acre, up to a total of 25 hens, whichever is less.

House Bill 4050, also sponsored by DeSana, requires the Agriculture Commission to propose a GAAMP (Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices) for site selection of egg-laying hens in primarily residential areas by September 1, 2025, with adoption required by October 1, 2025.

The bills are tie-barred, meaning one cannot take effect without the other. HB 4049 & 4050 have been referred to the House Agriculture Commtitee. 

Farm Bureau is reviewing the legislation and has not yet taken a position. 

Contact: Rebecca Park

Agricultural Zoning

House Bill 4006, introduced by Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), would amend the Zoning Enabling Act to specify that a zoning ordinance cannot prohibit the use of a barn on agriculturally zoned land as a commercial venue for weddings or similar events. However, the bill does not prevent the regulation of noise, advertising, traffic, hours of operation, or other related conditions.

The bill has been referred to the House Agriculture Committee. Farm Bureau is reviewing the legislation and has not yet taken a position.

Contact: Rebecca Park

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Rob Anderson

Manager, Government Relations
517-679-5343 [email protected]