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.
Federal Issues
U.S. House Reconciliation Bill Progress
The House of Representatives’ advancement of H.R.1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” marks a significant step toward restoring longer-term certainty for farmers and ranchers after a series of short-term extensions of the 2018 farm bill. Reconciliation is a special legislative process that allows certain budget-related bills to pass with a simple majority in the Senate, bypassing the filibuster, making it a powerful tool for enacting key priorities. The bill combines several Farm Bureau-supported provisions, across commodity programs and tax policy, into one comprehensive package.
Contact: Matt Smego or Jacob Smith
Protecting American Farmlands Act
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced the Protecting American Farmlands Act. The bill would create a capital gains tax exemption for farmland sold under an agreement to keep the land in agricultural use, provided the seller contributes the proceeds to a retirement account.
MFB supports the bill, which aligns with AFBF policy supporting a taxpayer’s ability to defer taxes from the sale of property or machinery by investing the proceeds into a retirement account, with taxes paid upon withdrawal.
Contact: Matt Smego
New World Screwworm Act
Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) have introduced the “Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms Act,” or the “STOP Screwworms Act.” The legislation would require the USDA to establish a new sterile fly facility to combat the threat of the New World screwworm.
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax) that poses a serious threat to livestock. The fly's larvae burrow into the flesh of warm-blooded animals, causing severe wounds that can lead to death if left untreated.
This pest was eradicated from the U.S. in 1966 using a sterile insect technique, but it remains endemic in parts of South America and the Caribbean. Recently, concerns have increased as cases have been detected in Mexico, prompting U.S. officials to halt live cattle imports and strengthen surveillance efforts.
MFB supports the legislation.
Contact: Matt Smego
State Issues
Anaerobic Digesters
House Bill 4257 and House Bill 4265, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) and Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), propose significant changes to the permitting process for anaerobic digesters.
Key components of the legislation include:
- Clarifying that digestate byproduct should always be considered a solid waste.
- Allowing appropriate inputs to be mixed within digesters.
- Permitting land application of digestate in accordance with GAAMPS (Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices).
- Developing regulatory standards that mitigate the need for overlapping permits.
- The bills also establish design, record-keeping, and training requirements for anaerobic digester operators, and specify that additional permits or co-permitting should not be required for many farms and other waste generators.
Additionally, the legislation defines the terms "anaerobic digester digestate," "digestate," and "anaerobic digestate" in state law to support the proper operation of co-owned methane digester facilities. It sets a 180-day deadline for permitting decisions and outlines procedures for registering and operating methane digester facilities in Michigan.
MFB supports the legislation approved by the House Agriculture Committee on June 5, which is now pending a vote on the House floor. Read the related news story: Bipartisan support builds for anaerobic digester reform in Michigan
Contact: Josh Scramlin
Alternative Energy Zoning
Sponsored by Rep. Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville), House Bills 4027-4028 would repeal the 2023 law allowing the Public Service Commission to approve commercial renewable energy projects, and return zoning authority to local governments. MFB supports the legislation, which passed the House 58-48 on May 6 and have now been referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee for consideration.
Contact: Andrew Vermeesch
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