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 Budget
MFB is closely monitoring state budget negotiations as the House, Senate, and Governor propose their funding levels and policy provisions affecting agriculture. Key issues include MDARD program funding, new E-Verify requirements, and EGLE permitting reforms. Read the full update here.
Contact: Rebecca Park or Josh Scramlin
MAEAP Funding
Senate Bill 273, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Daley (R-Lum) would reauthorize the funding mechanism for the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. MAEAP is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. The bill renews the existing fertilizer and pesticide fees paid by farms and agribusinesses — without increase — to fund the statewide program that has operated for nearly 30 years. If approved, the fee structure would remain in place through 2030, when it will be up for renewal again. MFB supports the bill that unanimously passed the Senate on Sept. 25 and awaits consideration by the House. Read the full update here.
Contact: Rebecca Park
MIOSHA Reporting Requirements
House Bill 4017, introduced by Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), would create an automatic reduction in fines and penalties for failure to report injuries or fatalities on "family farms." Farm Bureau supports the legislation that passed the House 80-25 on September 3 and awaits consideration by the Senate Labor Committee. Read the full update here.
Contact: Josh Scramlin
Land Division
Introduced by Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), House Bill 4081 would amend 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, MFB supports the concept of the legislation. The bill was discharged from the Senate Local Government Committee on August 13 and awaits a vote by the full Senate.
Contact: Rebecca Park
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