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HB 4205

Liquor: licenses; definition of qualified premises; provide for. Amends sec. 1111 of 2000 PA 92 (MCL 289.1111). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4204'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Aragona and 19 co-sponsors

Defines “qualified premises” as microbreweries, small wine makers, or tasting rooms to enable dog-friendly access under companion rules.

referred to second reading
#animals:dogs #liquor:licenses
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Bill Summary · HB 4205

Summary — HB 4205 (103rd Legislature, 2025)

Title: Liquor: licenses; definition of qualified premises; provide for. (Amends sec. 1111 of 2000 PA 92, MCL 289.1111)
Tie bar: HB 4204 (companion bill that amends the Food Law to allow dogs on certain licensed premises if requirements are met)

Main purpose

HB 4205 defines the term "qualified premises" in Michigan’s Food Law so that HB 4204’s provisions allowing customers to bring dogs into some alcohol‑licensed locations can operate. In effect, HB 4205 specifies which types of liquor‑licensed locations may be treated as “qualified premises” for the limited dog‑access rules.

Key provisions

  • Adds a definition of "qualified premises" to MCL 289.1111. Under the introduced/substitute (H‑1) language, qualified premises means any of the following:
    • The licensed premises of a microbrewer (MCL 436.1109).
    • The licensed premises of a small wine maker (MCL 436.1111).
    • A tasting room (MCL 436.1113).
  • The definition is the enabling piece for HB 4204, which modifies the Food Law/FDA Food Code adoption (notably section 6501.115 of the 2009 FDA Food Code, which generally prohibits live animals in food establishments) to permit a dog controlled by a customer on a qualified premises so long as specified public‑health and safety conditions are met (these conditions are set in HB 4204; HB 4205 supplies the location definition).
  • The bills together allow qualified premises to:
    • Designate location/space for customers with dogs.
    • Limit size/type of dog or impose other restrictions.
    • Deny entry or eject a customer and dog.

Conditions (from companion bill HB 4204; included here because HB 4205 provides the qualifying locations)

Dogs may be present only if all conditions are satisfied, including (summarized):
- The premises do not serve food.
- No health/safety hazard will result.
- Customer is 18+, dog leashed and attended, dog kept out of drink‑preparation areas, not allowed on seats/laps/contacting tabletops, and not to contact reusable tableware unless that tableware is clearly dedicated for dogs or provided by the customer.
- Employees who touch or clean up after dogs must wash hands before handling beverages/tableware.
- Premises must be kept free of visible hair/dander; waste cleaned/disinfected immediately; cleaning equipment used for dog waste stored separately; dog waste disposed outside at least daily in covered containers.

Who is affected

  • Businesses: microbreweries, small winemakers, and tasting rooms (their licensed premises).
  • Customers bringing dogs and employees at those premises.
  • Local public health agencies and Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) for enforcement/inspection duties.
  • Broader public interested in public‑health and consumer accommodations.

Fiscal/administrative impact

MDARD indicated the fiscal/administrative impact on department operations and local public health regulatory programs cannot be readily determined at the time of analysis.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced: March 10–11, 2025 (Rep. John Roth sponsor; multiple co‑sponsors).
  • Committee: Referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform; substitute (H‑1) reported 9/18/25.
  • Enacting linkage: The bill’s enacting section conditions its effectiveness on enactment of HB 4204.
  • Legislative record (per available actions): bill progressed through committee and floor actions; legislative entries indicate the measure ultimately became law and was effective 9/1/2025 (noting the companion bill tie‑in).

(MCL citations: amendment to MCL 289.1111; related provisions in HB 4204 referenced at MCL 289.6101.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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