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 Issues
Honey and Maple Syrup Production
Senate Bill 93, sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), seeks to create parity for honey and maple syrup producers by allowing them to earn as much as those utilizing the cottage food law, without needing a licensed kitchen. MFB supports the bill, which has been referred to the Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee.
Contact: Rebecca Park
Cottage Food
House Bill 4122, introduced by Rep. Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville), proposes updates to the cottage food law, including: allowing third-party platforms or mail delivery, raising the gross sales cap from $20,000 to $50,000, and allowing the MSU Product Center to offer a registration program for those who prefer not to list their private address on labels. MFB supports the bill, which has been referred to the House Agriculture Committee.
Contact: Rebecca Park
Lab Grown Meat
House Bill 4076, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), clarifies Michigan’s food law by requiring that meat products be clearly labeled and that lab-grown meat substitutes cannot be labeled as meat. MFB supports the bill, aligning with our policy on clear labeling requirements. The legislation has been referred to the House Agriculture Committee.
Contact: Rebecca Park
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 permit commercial renewable energy projects and restore local control over zoning decisions. Michigan Farm Bureau supports the legislation, which has been referred to the House Energy Committee.
Contact: Andrew Vermeesch
Earned Sick Time
House Bill 4002, passed by the Legislature late on Feb. 20 and swiftly signed into law by Gov. Whitmer on Feb. 21, amends provisions of the Earned Sick Time Act. Key changes in the final bill include:
New employees can be required to wait 120 days before utilizing earned sick time.
Employers have the option to front-load 72 hours sick time rather than implement a tracking system based on hours worked.
If a worker separates from employment and is rehired by the same employer after 2 months, their sick time accrual would reset.
Small businesses with 10 or fewer employees have until October 1 to comply.
Small businesses must provide 40 hours of paid sick time — rather than 40 hours paid and 32 hours of unpaid sick time.
For more details, read the related Michigan Farm News update. In response to the action request, 1,213 members and supporters sent 2,395 messages to representatives and senators. See the responses by MFB district and county Farm Bureau.
Contact: Rob Anderson
Career and Technical Education Funding
Introduced by Rep. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), House Bill 4060 would grant Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) the flexibility to contract with another ISD for the operation of a Career and Technical Education program. It also permits the use of local millage or tax revenue to fund these contracted services. MFB supports the legislation, which has been referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee.
Contact: Rebecca Park
Egg-laying Hens
Sponsored by Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton), Senate Bill 23 amends the Animal Industry Act by eliminating the requirement that egg-laying hens be raised in a cage-free environment. It also removes the restriction preventing Michigan retailers from selling eggs that are not cage-free. The Michigan Allied Poultry Industry opposes the legislation. Michigan Farm Bureau also opposes the bill, as our policy supports allowing individual livestock commodity organizations to set their own housing standards.
Contact: Rebecca Park
Federal Issues
FAFSA Exemptions
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, along with several co-sponsors, has reintroduced H.R. 1131, the bipartisan Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act. Supported by the Farm Bureau, this legislation aims to address an oversight in the FAFSA Simplification Act, which altered the federal student aid formula in 2024 and disproportionately impacts rural families. Bergman’s proposal seeks to reinstate the long-standing exemption that prevents the value of family farm and small business assets from being counted as part of a family's net worth in financial aid assessments.
Contact: Matt Smego
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