HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
REP. JULIE ALEXANDER
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
10:30 AM
Room 326, House Office Building
The House Standing Committee on Agriculture was called to order by Chair Alexander.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Alexander, Mueller, LaFave, Hoitenga, Eisen, Wendzel, Elder, Coleman,
Garza, Cynthia Johnson, Witwer.
Absent/Excused: None.
Representative Wendzel moved to adopt the meeting minutes from January 15, 2020. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid HB 5085 before the committee:
HB 5085
(Rep. Markkanen)
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368,
entitled "Public health code," (MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211)
by adding section 18817.
Representative Markkanen explained proposed substitute (H-1) to HB 5085.
Representative LaFave moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to HB 5085. The motion prevailed 10-0-
0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Alexander, Mueller, LaFave, Hoitenga, Eisen, Wendzel, Elder, Coleman, Garza,
Witwer.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Representative Mueller moved to refer House Bill No. 5085 to the Committee on Ways and
Means, with recommendation as substitute (H-1). The motion prevailed 11-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Alexander, Mueller, LaFave, Hoitenga, Eisen, Wendzel, Elder, Coleman, Garza,
Cynthia Johnson, Witwer.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
The following people submitted a card with a neutral position on HB 5085 (H-1), but did not
wish to speak:
Derek Sova, representing the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5085 (H-1), but did not wish to speak:
Robin Schneider, representing the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association.
At 10:40 AM, the Chair laid the committee at ease.
At 10:41 AM, the Chair called the committee back to order.
Representative Cynthia Johnson and Representative Love gave remarks regarding the History
and State of Black Farmers in Michigan.
Kimberly N. Carr, PhD, MPH, provided a presentation on Food Sovereignty, Racial Equity and
the State of Black Farmers in Michigan and reviewed the following topics: Food Sovereignty and
Racial Equity; Narrative Frame; Farms and Farmers in Michigan; and Michigan Black Farmers:
Areas of Support. Questions and discussion followed.
Rebecca Park, representing the Michigan Farm Bureau, gave a presentation on the Michigan
Farm Bureau Agriculture Accurate Children's Book.
There being no further business before the committee, Rep. Julie Alexander adjourned the
meeting at 11:02 AM.
Representative Julie Alexander, Chair
Dakota Soda
Committee Clerk
dsoda@house.mi.gov