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.
Landowner Liability Protection
House Bill 4582, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), would restore liability protection for property owners by reinstating the “open and obvious” doctrine in Michigan. The open and obvious doctrine was a longstanding standard in the state, providing property owners with liability protection for hazards that were considered “open and obvious” to the average person. In 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court overturned this defense, meaning more lawsuits and higher costs for all property owners in the state. Farm Bureau supports the legislation, which passed the House 58-48 on March 11 and awaits committee referral in the Senate.
Contact: Rob Anderson
Microplastics
Senate Bills 503–505, introduced by Sens. Jeff Irwin (D–Ann Arbor), Dayna Polehanki (D–Livonia), and Sue Shink (D–Northfield Twp), would create a statewide microplastics strategy that includes monitoring and testing requirements. The legislation specifically calls for monitoring within and near agricultural operations.
Michigan Farm Bureau Policy #84, Nonpoint Source Pollution and Watershed Management, opposes “water quality monitoring of ditches and streams selectively performed to incriminate individuals and not conducted by certified individuals in accordance with EGLE protocols.” Therefore, MFB opposes the bill package.
The legislation passed the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 10 and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
Contact: Josh Scramlin
Millage Elections
Sponsored by Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford), House Bills 4583-4584 would require local and school millage proposals to be put before voters only at the regular November election. Farm Bureau supports the legislation. Both bills passed the House 56-50 on March 11 and await committee referral in the Senate.
Contact: Rob Anderson
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Sponsored by Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), House Bills 4424 and 4425 would create a tax incentive to help jumpstart production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Michigan. SAF is an alternative to traditional jet fuel, made from feedstocks such as ethanol or renewable diesel, representing a potential new domestic market for row crops, particularly corn. Similar legislation sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and Joe Bellino (R-Monroe) passed the Senate in June 2025. The House version advanced out of the House Transportation Committee in December 2025 and now await consideration on the House floor. MFB supports the legislation.
Contact: Josh Scramlin
Horse Racing
House Bills 4346-4347 are a legislative package aimed at reallocating online gaming tax revenues to support the horse racing industry and county fairs. As amended in committee, the bills move away from fixed dollar amounts and instead allocate funds using percentages of the Michigan Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund (AEIDF).
Under the substitute adopted by the House Rules Committee in mid-December, the existing $3 million cap on the AEIDF would be increased incrementally through fiscal year 2027, at which point the fund would be capped at $15 million. County fairs, which are currently eligible to receive up to $15,000 each in matching funds, would instead receive an equal share of an amount equal to 6% of the fund. In addition, fairs that held standardbred racing in the previous calendar year and will also hold standardbred racing in the current calendar year would receive an equal share of a separate 2% allocation. Actual dollar amounts would be determined annually based on the AEIDF end balance from the prior fiscal year.
MFB policy supports investments in county fairs and the horse racing industry and therefore supports the package. The legislation passed the House on Feb. 26 and awaits Senate Committee referral.
Contact: Rebecca Park
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Rob Anderson
Rebecca Park
