Bill
HB 6131
Updates Michigan Food Law definitions and cottage food rules to modernize terms and clarify compliance for home-based producers, regulators, and consumers.
Bill: HB 6131
Title: Food: cottage food operation; cottage food operation requirements; modify. Amends secs. 1105 & 4102 of 2000 PA 92 (MCL 289.1105 & 289.4102)
Sponsors: Reps. Reggie Miller and Veronica Paiz
Introduced: Nov. 14, 2024
Current status: Passed House (Dec. 13, 2024); referred to Committee on Government Operations (Dec. 18, 2024); referred to Joint Comm. on Insurance & Real Estate (Jan. 22, 2025).
Purpose
- To revise Michigan’s Food Law by amending statutory definitions (MCL 289.1105) and modifying regulatory requirements for cottage food operations (MCL 289.4102). The changes modernize and clarify terms used throughout the Food Law and adjust how cottage food operations are regulated.
Key provisions (what the bill does)
- Amends section 1105 (definitions): updates and clarifies multiple statutory definitions used in the Food Law. Examples shown in the bill text include revised language for:
- “Adulterated” (detailed list of conditions that render food adulterated);
- “Agricultural use operation” (clarifies status of certain on‑farm finishing operations like maple syrup facilities);
- “Bed and breakfast” (clarifies when a residence qualifies and the conditions for exemption from being a food service establishment);
- “Color additive,” “Consumer,” “Contaminated with filth,” and “Continental breakfast.”
- Amends section 4102: modifies requirements applicable to cottage food operations (home‑based food producers). The introduced and passed versions indicate statutory changes to how cottage food businesses are defined and regulated, though the public summary and available text excerpt emphasize the definitional updates and do not provide full line‑by‑line detail of every substantive change in section 4102 in the circulated excerpts.
- Overall drafting style updates statutory language for clarity and to align certain terms with contemporary regulatory usage.
Who would be affected
- Cottage food operators (home-based food producers) — their regulatory obligations and any exemptions under section 4102 could change.
- Food businesses and establishments across the state, to the extent definitional clarifications (e.g., “adulterated,” “agricultural use operation,” “bed and breakfast,” and “consumer”) affect licensing, labeling, enforcement, or program applicability.
- Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), local health departments, and enforcement bodies — implementation and enforcement will reflect the revised statutory definitions.
- Consumers, particularly those relying on labeling and enforcement protections, may be affected indirectly via changes in definitions and regulatory scope.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Introduced Nov. 14, 2024; passed the Michigan House on Dec. 13, 2024 (roll call 56–0) with immediate effect in the House action; transmitted thereafter.
- Referred to the Committee on Government Operations (Dec. 18, 2024) and later referred to the Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate (Jan. 22, 2025). Further committee consideration, amendments, and any Senate action remain pending.
Potential impacts / considerations
- The definitional changes can affect enforcement interpretations (what constitutes “adulterated” food, what qualifies as a “consumer” or an “agricultural use operation,” etc.), potentially changing compliance obligations without creating entirely new regulatory programs.
- Changes to section 4102 could alter the scope of activities permitted for cottage food operators, or change labeling/food safety expectations; stakeholders should review the full text of section 4102 as amended to assess specific compliance changes.
- Because the bill revises foundational definitions used across the Food Law, coordinated guidance from MDARD and local health departments would be important for consistent implementation.
For full text and legislative history, consult Michigan Legislature records for HB 6131 (MCL 289.1105 & 289.4102).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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