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.
State Issues
Budget
The Legislature finalized the 1,000-plus page appropriations bill on party-line votes: 61-47 in the House and 26-10 in the Senate. Now the $15.2 billion general fund budget for 2023-24 awaits Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s final approval. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will receive $92.7 million of the general funds available, and MSU Extension and AgBioResearch will receive an impressive 5% boost.
Read details on funding for food & farm programs, education, and transportation infrastructure.
Contact: Rebecca Park
Biodiesel Incentives
Introduced by Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), House Bill 4847 would create an income tax credit for biodiesel retailers and producers. The credit would be active for sales and production occurring between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2029. Retailers would be eligible to claim $0.02 per gallon of B5+ sold and $0.05 per gallon of B11+ sold. Biodiesel producers would also be eligible to claim a credit equal to $0.02 per gallon of biodiesel produced. The total amount of credits issued may not exceed $2 million in any tax year. MFB policy supports biodiesel as an excellent source of renewable energy and therefore supports the bill. The legislation awaits consideration by the House Tax Policy Committee.
Contact: Rebecca Park
Clean Energy Future Plan
Senate Bills 271-277 is a package of bills being called the “Clean Energy Future Plan.” The legislation proposes:
Ending coal-fired electricity generating plants by 2030,
Requiring utilities to move toward eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from power generation by 2035, and
Developing a 100% clean energy standard by 2035. The package would also eliminate biomass as part of the definition of renewable energy.
Sponsors include Sens. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), Sue Shink (D-Northfield), Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), Rosemary Bayer (D-Keego Harbor) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City). The bills await further consideration by the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.
Farm Bureau opposes the elimination of biomass as part of the renewable energy standard. We are also concerned about the impact the proposed changes in energy generation will have on electricity rates. Farm Bureau continues to engage in the discussion surrounding energy policy and will communicate MFB’s priorities contained within MFB policy #46 State Energy and MFB policy #45 Renewable and Biomass Products.
Contact: Andrew Vermeesch
Environmental Oversight
Senate Bills 393-394, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D- Keego Harbor), would eliminate the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s Environmental Permit Review Commission and the Environmental Science Advisory Board. House Bill 4826 introduced by Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) is similar legislation and proposes eliminating the Permit Review Commission only.
SB 393-394 were referred to the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee and HB 4826 was referred to the House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee.
Farm Bureau opposes the legislation because MFB policy supports the permit review board, as well as using sound science in the agency's promulgation of rules and standards.
Contact: Ben Tirrell
Preemption of Local Labor Ordinances
Introduced by Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) and Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), House Bill 4237 and Senate Bill 171 would repeal an act which prevents local units of government from establishing their own minimum wage rates, paid leave or fringe benefit requirements and other labor relations standards.
Farm Bureau opposes the legislation that has been referred to their respective House and Senate labor committees.
MFB policy #66 Local Government opposes townships or local units of government being permitted to enact regulations affecting agriculture that are stricter than existing state and federal regulations. MFB policy #56 Wages and Compensation opposes local units of government setting a minimum wage rate.
Contact: Ben Tirrell
State Rules More Stringent Than Federal
Introduced by Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), Senate Bill 14 would remove the statutory requirement that state rules not be more stringent than those established by the federal government. The bill passed the House and Senate, has been ordered enrolled, and awaits the Governor's consideration. Farm Bureau opposes Senate Bill 14. MFB policy #83 Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy opposes regulations and standards more restrictive than federal.
Contact: Ben Tirrell
Federal Issues
Agricultural Product Labeling Uniformity
H.R. 4288, the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, would reaffirm that the EPA is the single authority on pesticide labeling and packaging requirements by:
Ensuring the EPA doesn’t take any action, including approving label requirements, contradictory to the agency’s science-based views,
Preempting states from imposing their own labeling requirements, and
Providing certainty to producers and consumers by guaranteeing the tools supporting the agriculture industry and food supply chain remain safe and available.
MFB and AFBF support the legislation and recently signed on to a letter alongside hundreds of other agricultural organizations asking for Congressional action on this issue.
Contact: John Kran
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