Michigan Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy took center stage recently as State Government Relations Manager Rob Anderson testified before the House Rules Committee, offering insights on regulatory compliance and its impact on agriculture.
A veteran advocate for the organization, Anderson delivered a clear and compelling message — outlining the real-world challenges Michigan farmers face and highlighting solutions Farm Bureau believes can strike a better balance between economic growth and regulatory oversight.
“For Michigan farmers, regulations aren’t just lines in a rulebook — they directly impact their families, businesses, and way of life,” Anderson said. “With slim profit margins and high input costs, even small regulatory changes can have major ripple effects.
“When regulations are unclear, duplicative, or overly burdensome, they don’t just slow down business — they add stress to families, limit reinvestment in local communities, and, in some cases, threaten the future of a farm that’s been in the same family for generations.”
Anderson’s full testimony can be viewed beginning around the 4:45-minute mark.
He went on to share how Michigan Farm Bureau policy supports a thoughtful approach to regulation, rooted in core principles such as:
- Rulemaking authority should be guided and limited by legislative action;
- Regulations must be understandable and practical, with penalties that reflect the severity of violations;
- Proposed rules should be backed by science-based studies, standardized risk assessments, cost/benefit analyses, and economic impact statements.
At the same time, Anderson explained, Farm Bureau policy opposes:
- Rules that are more stringent than federal standards;
- Regulations that are retroactive or unjustified;
- Requirements for duplicate studies that add unnecessary burden.
“In general, our members believe Michigan’s regulatory structure must continue to foster economic growth by providing transparency and clarity in the development and issuance of permits,” Anderson added.
He emphasized that permitting decisions — often highly technical in nature — should be subject to a thorough review process to ensure fairness and accountability.
Reflecting on recent legislative changes, Anderson expressed disappointment over the repeal of statutes that established the Environmental Science Advisory Board and the Environmental Permit Review Commission.
“These entities played a vital role in providing scientific review and increasing transparency in regulatory decisions,” he said. “Their presence reassured businesses considering investments in Michigan that permitting decisions would be made thoughtfully and fairly.”
Anderson concluded by reiterating that reinstating these bodies would support Michigan’s broader goals of economic development and population growth — ultimately helping to create the jobs needed to keep talent in the state.
While no specific bills were under consideration during the hearing, Farm Bureau was invited to testify alongside other business groups to share perspectives on the broader implications of state agency rulemaking — particularly in light of recent committee hearings focused on permitting processes within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
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