Bill
SB 1172
Aligns agricultural labor camp licenses with actual occupancy periods (not calendar year), empowering MDARD to ensure health, heating, plumbing safety during workers' stays.
Status (key dates)
- Introduced in the Michigan Senate: Dec. 3, 2024 (sponsor: Sen. Sue Shink).
- Reported favorably from the Senate Natural Resources & Agriculture Committee (committee analyses dated Dec. 9 and Dec. 17, 2024).
- Passed the Senate (Dec. 12, 2024).
- Committee Fiscal Analyst: Bruce R. Baker. Legislative Analyst: Eleni Lionas.
- Fiscal impact: none reported.
Purpose and intent
- To align the duration of licenses for agricultural labor camps with the actual period those camps will be occupied, rather than automatically tying licenses to the calendar year. The change is intended to ensure licensing and oversight cover the precise occupancy period (for example, including winter occupancy) so that health, safety, heating, plumbing and related standards are maintained while workers are present.
Background
- Part 124 of Michigan’s Public Health Code regulates agricultural labor camps — parcels (including tents, vehicles, buildings, etc.) used in whole or part as living quarters for migratory laborers engaged in agricultural activities (including related food processing). Under current law the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) issues licenses after inspection and the license is valid for the balance of the calendar year in which it is issued.
Key provisions (what the bill changes)
- Amends MCL 333.12413 to change license duration:
- Current: a license is valid only for the balance of the calendar year in which issued.
- New: a license is valid for the occupancy period stated on the face of the license, with that occupancy period determined by MDARD.
- Licensing formality: the license must recite on its face both that the camp operator must comply with Part 124 and the occupancy period applicable to that license.
- Transferability: the license remains nontransferable or nonassignable except by express written consent of the department (existing provision retained).
Who is affected
- Agricultural labor camp operators (licensing period and documentation requirements change).
- MDARD (will determine and record occupancy periods on licenses and enforce compliance).
- Migrant and seasonal agricultural workers (oversight and safety protections are tied to actual occupancy periods).
Rationale and expected impact
- The change permits MDARD to set licensing periods that match when camps are actually occupied (e.g., to ensure winter conditions are covered), improving regulatory oversight of construction, sanitation, heating, plumbing and other health/safety standards while workers are present. The Senate committee analysis reports no state or local fiscal impact.
Statutory citation
- Amends: 1978 PA 368 (Public Health Code), sec. 12413 (MCL 333.12413).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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