Bill
HB 4204
Allows dogs in qualified drink-only premises (microbreweries, tasting rooms) under strict sanitation, leash rules, and adult owner control; enactment tied to HB 4205.
Title: Liquor: licenses; breweries to allow dogs inside at discretion of establishment; allow under certain conditions. (Amends MCL 289.6101)
Tie bar: HB 4205 (defines “qualified premises”)
Status and timeline
- Introduced: March 10–11, 2025 (sponsor: Rep. Natalie Price).
- Committee: Regulatory Reform. Reported with substitute (H‑1) 9/18/2025. Referred to second reading.
- Companion: SB 2957. Final enactment is conditioned on HB 4205 (which defines “qualified premises”) being enacted.
Purpose and intent
- To amend Michigan’s Food Law (section 6101) and the state adoption of the FDA Food Code to permit customers’ dogs on certain licensed drink‑only premises (e.g., microbreweries’ taprooms, small winemaker premises, tasting rooms) under specified conditions intended to protect public health and safety.
Key provisions and requirements
- Adds a specific exception to the Food Code prohibition on live animals in food establishments to allow a customer‑controlled dog in a “qualified premises” if all conditions are met:
- The premises sell and serve only drinks (no food service).
- The dog’s presence will not create a health or safety hazard.
- Operational and sanitation requirements, including:
- Premises kept free of visible dog hair/dander and cleaned/disinfected as needed.
- Immediate cleaning and disinfection of surfaces contaminated by dog bodily waste.
- Cleaning equipment used for dog waste stored separately and not used for other cleaning.
- Dog waste disposed of at least daily in a covered outdoor receptacle.
- Employees who touch dogs or clean dog waste must not serve beverages or handle tableware until they wash hands.
- Dogs prohibited from seats/chairs, laps, and from contacting tabletops/countertops or drink preparation areas.
- Dogs may not contact reusable tableware unless that tableware is dedicated for dogs and clearly distinguishable or provided by the customer.
- Dogs must be leashed, not left unattended; the customer must be at least 18 years old.
- Establishment discretion: a qualified premises may designate where dogs are allowed, limit size/type of dog, and refuse or eject a dog and owner.
- Administrative: the director may adopt updates to the Food Code; annexes are persuasive authority for interpretation.
- Enactment is conditioned on HB 4205 becoming law (HB 4205 provides the statutory definitions of “micro brewer,” “small wine maker,” and “tasting room”).
Who is affected
- Businesses: microbreweries, small winemaker premises, and tasting rooms that choose to allow dogs (subject to the no‑food restriction).
- Customers: dog owners and patrons of these establishments.
- Employees: additional sanitation and handwashing responsibilities.
- Regulatory agencies: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and local public health regulators — the fiscal/administrative impact to MDARD and local programs is currently indeterminate.
Fiscal impact
- MDARD indicates the impact on department administration and on local public health regulatory programs cannot be readily determined at this time (per House Fiscal Agency analysis).
Notes
- The bill modifies the state’s incorporation of the 2009 FDA Food Code (and allows future director rulemaking to adopt updates).
- Exact statutory definitions of “micro brewer,” “small wine maker,” and “tasting room” are provided via the tie‑bar HB 4205 (and relevant MCL references).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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