Bill
SB 93
SB 93 raises the honey/maple syrup licensure exemption to $25,000 in annual gross sales, exempting small producers from MDARD licenses while preserving labeling and allergen rules.
Status & procedural history
- Bill number: SB 93 (introduced Jan 22, 2025).
- Subject: Food processors; honey and maple syrup producers; Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) licensing.
- Referred to: Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Agriculture.
- Nonpartisan analyses and committee materials show the bill was reported by committee and passed the Senate (analysis dated 4/24/2025). Senate Fiscal Agency and committee reports state no fiscal impact.
Purpose / intent
- To align the licensure exemption threshold for honey and maple syrup producers with the State’s existing “cottage food” gross‑sales limit so that very small producers are not required to obtain MDARD food establishment licenses.
Key provisions / what the bill changes
- Amends section 4105 of the Food Law (MCL 289.4105).
- Increases the gross‑sales threshold that governs whether a honey or maple syrup producer’s retail outlet and processing facility must be licensed:
- Current law: exemptions apply to producers with gross sales of $15,001 or less.
- SB 93: changes the exemption cutoff to the gross‑sales limitation applicable to cottage food operations in section 4102(5) (which is $25,000 annually).
- Maintains the existing condition that the retail outlet must be producer‑operated and that products be prepackaged and labeled substantially similar to cottage food product labels (including ingredient and allergen lists).
- Clarifies gross sales computation follows the cottage food rule (computed on the basis of gross sales within a particular domestic residence, not per person).
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: small-scale beekeepers and maple syrup producers (direct‑to‑consumer sellers) with annual gross sales between $15,001 and $25,000 who would remain exempt from MDARD licensure under the bill.
- MDARD: administrative scope of licensing and inspection for small honey/syrup operations would be reduced.
- Consumers: labeling and allergen disclosure requirements remain in place for exempt producers.
Fiscal and policy impacts
- Senate Fiscal Agency and committee reports conclude the bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.
- Policy considerations:
- Supports small/local producers by reducing regulatory/licensing burden and aligning treatment of honey/syrup with other cottage foods.
- Leaves labeling and basic consumer‑safety disclosure requirements intact; it does not alter more stringent licensing or safety rules for larger producers.
Other notes
- The bill is a reintroduction of prior legislation (Senate Bill 882, 2023–24) that advanced in the last session.
- Text and agency analyses emphasize the intent to maintain basic consumer protections (labeling/allergen info) while reducing compliance costs for small producers.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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