Representative Koontz amends Michigan cottage food law to enhance consumer safety

House Bill 4,122, aimed at revising Michigan's cottage food laws, made significant strides during a recent government meeting. The bill, which seeks to correct a drafting error and enhance food safety regulations, received unanimous support from committee members, passing with a vote of 10-0.

Representative Koontz introduced an amendment to correct the term "movie" to "meeting," which was swiftly adopted. Following this, Representative Skaggs proposed a more contentious amendment to raise the gross sales limit for cottage food products from $15,000 to $75,000. Skaggs expressed concerns about the safety of complex baked goods, emphasizing the risks associated with perishable ingredients like eggs and dairy. However, this amendment failed to pass, garnering only two votes in favor.

The committee then moved forward with House Bill 4,122 as amended, which was approved with a vote of 9-0, with one member passing. This bill aligns with the cottage food law's original intent to support small-scale entrepreneurs while ensuring consumer safety.

In addition, House Bill 4,245 was introduced, which aims to align honey and maple syrup production with existing cottage food regulations. Representative Alexander highlighted that this bill mirrors a previously passed Senate bill and seeks to elevate the gross sales cap for these products, facilitating growth for local producers.

The meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to modernize Michigan's cottage food laws, balancing entrepreneurial opportunities with necessary food safety measures. As these bills progress, they promise to impact local food producers significantly, fostering a safer and more supportive environment for small businesses in the state.