The 102nd session of the Michigan Legislature concluded on Dec. 30. Several bills of interest to Michigan Farm Bureau were considered in the House and Senate’s final workdays. The following summaries include bills that were passed or defeated due to lack of action. All unfinished bills officially died with the close of legislative session.
Michigan Farm Bureau will begin reporting on new bills after the 103rd session of the state legislature begins its work later this month.
EGLE Rulemaking Authority
House Bill 5205 introduced by Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing), House Bill 5614 sponsored by Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), and Senate Bill 663 introduced by Sen. Sue Shink (D-Ann Arbor) would have rescinded the prohibition on the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to promulgate water quality rules under Part 31 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.
MFB opposed all these bills, and the legislative session ended with no further action on the initiative. Read the related story: Legislature fails to act on water rulemaking bills; Farm Bureau opposition prevails
Contact: Rob Anderson
Water User Fees
Senate Bill 1181, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Keego Harbor), would have instituted a water withdrawal fee for high-capacity water users, implementing elements of public trust in new withdrawals, and capping future withdrawals at two million gallons.
Introduced late in the session on Dec. 4, MFB opposed the bill that did not receive a committee hearing or consideration on the House or Senate floor.
Contact: Rob Anderson
PA 116 Administrative Fees
Senate Bill 1169, sponsored by Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield), would have increased the administrative allotment for the PA 116 fund and added a consumer price index adjuster.
Introduced late in the session, on Dec. 3, MFB opposed the bill that did not receive further consideration after passing the Senate on Dec. 12.
Contact: Rebecca Park
Statewide Septic Code
Senate Bills 299-300, introduced by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), would have implemented a statewide system for evaluating and regulating onsite wastewater treatment systems, commonly referred to as septic systems. The bills would have also created a technical advisory board to make recommendations to this program, but did not designate direct agricultural representation.
MFB opposed the bills. The legislation failed to receive further consideration in the House after passing the Senate on December 12.
Contact: Rob Anderson
Environmental Oversight
Senate Bill 393-394, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D- Keego Harbor), would have eliminated the state’s Environmental Science Advisory Board and Environmental Permit Review Commission.
MFB opposed the bills. The legislation failed to receive further support after passing the House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation earlier in the year.
Contact: Rob Anderson
Maple Syrup and Honey Production
Senate Bill 882, introduced by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), would have created parity for maple syrup and honey producers by allowing them to earn as much as those utilizing the cottage food law, without needing to use a commercial kitchen. Farm Bureau supported the bill that passed the Senate unanimously on Oct. 8, passed the House Agriculture Committee on Oct. 15, but unfortunately did not receive a vote in the full House before the legislature adjourned.
Read the related news story: Legislation to sweeten the deal for honey, maple syrup producers
Contact: Rebecca Park
Cottage Food Law
House Bills 6128-6133 would have amended cottage food requirements within the state’s Foods Law. The legislation would have allowed cottage food operations to register their product with the MSU product center in lieu of publishing their address, allow cottage food internet and mail sales, raise the gross sales limit before needing a commercial kitchen to $45,000, and add an annual inflation adjustment.
MFB supported the changes that passed the House on Dec. 13, but did not receive consideration in the Senate.
Contact: Rebecca Park
Worker’s Compensation Reforms
Senate Bill 1079-1080, sponsored by Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint), would have made significant changes to Michigan’s Workers’ Compensation law that would have increased employer costs. The bill would have increased the death benefit, broadened the definition of disability, removed an employee’s good-faith duty to find alternative work, and expanded the types of eligible claims, among other changes.
MFB joined a coalition of business groups in opposing the bills. The bills did not receive consideration on the Senate floor.
Contact: Rob Anderson
Unemployment Benefits
Senate Bill 40, sponsored by Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren), increased the maximum number of weeks for which unemployment benefits can be received from 20 to 26. MFB opposed the legislation because the organization’s policy supports unemployment payments not exceeding 20 weeks. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Whitmer on Dec. 30.
Contact: Rob Anderson
Hunting Fees
House Bill 6229, introduced by Rep. Amos O’Neal, would have increased hunting and fishing registration fees. Increases including moving the combination hunting and fishing license from $75 to $113, deer license from $20 to $30, and all-species fishing license from $25-38. Other changes included reducing senior discounts and raising out of state applicant fees.
Introduced late in the session on Dec. 4, MFB opposed the bill, which did not receive consideration on the House floor.
Contact: Andrew Vermeesch
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