The House Agriculture Committee took up HB 4887 for a hearing.  The bill allows for gardening of fruits and vegetables by right and allows for food stands and sales of produce by right.  It has language pre-empting all local ordinances.  It has been dubbed “right to garden.” 

I testified in opposition (see testimony attached) and said that local zoning is there for a reason. I also agreed with the Township Association, which pointed out that this is a solution in search of a problem. The sponsor of the bill indicated that he just wanted to ensure that gardening is allowed and said his intention is for all local ordinances to continue to be applicable, and specifically added language allowing for blight ordinances to be followed.

The committee only took testimony, and has not indicated whether or not it will come up for a vote.

Andy Schor is the Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him at (517) 908-0300 or by email at aschor@mml.org.

testimony.docx (14.39 kb)

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