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MEMBERS:
SEN. JOHN CHERRY, MAJORITY VICE CHAIR
SEN. SAM SINGH
SEN. DAYNA POLEHANKI
SEN. KEVIN DALEY, MINORITY VICE CHAIR
SEN. ROGER VICTORY
SEN. MICHELE HOITENGA
THE SENATE
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
AND AGRICULTURE
SENATOR SUE SHINK
CHAIR
4200 BINSFELD OFFICE BUILDING
P.O. BOX 30036
LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-7536
PHONE: (517) 373-2426
**DRAFT**
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
June 11, 2025
A meeting of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture was scheduled for Wednesday, June
11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Room 1300 of the Binsfeld Office Building
The agenda summary is as follows:
1. Reported SB 223 (Sen. Polehanki) with recommendation.
2. Adopted (S-1) to SB 235 (Sen. Singh) and (S-1) to SB 236 (Sen. Bellino)
3. Reported SB 235 (S-1) (Sen. Singh) and SB 236 (S-1) (Sen. Bellino) with recommendation.
4. Testimony from individuals and organizations affected by the proposed cuts to food banks and farmers.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m.. The Chair instructed the Clerk to call the roll. At that time,
the following members were present: Chair Shink, Sen.(s) Cherry, Singh, Polehanki, Daley, Victory and
Hoitenga.
The Chair entertained a motion by Sen. Cherry to adopt the meeting minutes from June 3, 2025. Without
objection, the minutes were adopted.
The Chair invited Dr. Deanne Kelleher, MDE Director Office of Nutrition Services for a presentation regarding
proposed cuts to food banks and farmers. Member questions followed.
The Chair entertained a motion by Sen. Polehanki, to report SB223 to the floor with recommendation that it
pass. The vote was as follows:
Yeas: Chair Shink, Sen.(s) Cherry, Singh and Polehanki
Nays: Sen.(s) Daley, Victory and Hoitenga
Pass: None
The motion prevailed and the bill was reported.
The Chair invited Senator Singh to explain substitutes to SB 235 and SB 236.
The Chair read the cards of those individuals not wishing to testify before the committee regarding SB235 and
SB 236:
Mike Alaimo, Michigan Chamber - Support
Jane McCurry, Clean Fuels Michigan - Support
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The Chair entertained a motion by Senator Singh to adopt the S-1 version of SB235. The vote was as follows:
Yeas: Chair Shink, Sen.(s) Cherry, Singh, Polehanki, Daley, Victory and Hoitenga
Nays: None
Pass: None
The motion prevailed and the substitute was adopted.
The Chair entertained a motion by Senator Singh to adopt the S-1 version of SB 236. The vote was as follows:
Yeas: Chair Shink, Sen.(s) Cherry, Singh, Polehanki, Daley, Victory and Hoitenga
Nays: None
Pass: None
The motion prevailed and the substitute was adopted.
The Chair entertained a motion by Senator Cherry to report the S-1 version of SB235 to the floor with
recommendation that it pass. The vote was as follows:
Yeas: Chair Shink, Sen.(s) Cherry, Singh, Polehanki, Daley, Victory and Hoitenga
Nays: None
Pass: None
The motion prevailed and the bill was reported.
The Chair entertained a motion by Senator Singh to report the S-1 version of SB236 to the floor with
recommendation that it pass. The vote was as follows:
Yeas: Chair Shink, Sen.(s) Cherry, Singh, Polehanki, Daley, Victory and Hoitenga
Nays: None
Pass: None
The motion prevailed and the bill was reported.
The Chair invited the following individuals to testify on the proposed cuts to food banks and farmers:
Dr. Quentin Tyler, Director MSU Extension
Daniel Schoonmaker, Executive Director, Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
Scott Rumpsa, Executive Director of Community Action House, Ottawa County
O'Nealya Gronstal, Executive Director of Lakeshore Food Club (Ludington)
Anna Almanza, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for the Food Bank Council
Kenneth Estelle, President and CEO, Feeding American of West Michigan
Gerald Brisson, President and CEO, Gleaners Communty Food Bank of Sountheast Michigan
Rivka Hodgkinson, Executive Director, Michgan Association of Conservation Districts
Julius Buzzard, Executive Director, Growing Hope
Heather Anderson, Farm Manager, Green Wagon Farm
Julie Brunson, Executive Director, H.O.P.E. Gardens.
There being no further business before the committee, the Chair made a motion to adjourn the committee at
3:41 p.m. Without objection, the committee was adjourned.
Date Adopted by Committee: