2023 House Bill 4857 / 2024 Public Act 13

Agriculture: plants; classification of milkweed as a noxious or exotic weed by local governments; prohibit.

An act to amend 1941 PA 359, entitled “An act for controlling and eradicating certain noxious weeds within the state; to permit townships, villages, and cities to have a lien for expenses incurred in controlling and eradicating such weeds; to permit officials of counties and municipalities to appoint commissioners of noxious weeds; to define the powers, duties, and compensation of commissioners; to provide for sanctions; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 2 (MCL 247.62), as amended by 2010 PA 358.

Senate Fiscal Agency Analysis

The bill would amend Public Act 359 of 1941, which governs the control and destruction of noxious weeds, to specify that milkweed (any species of genus Asclepias) could not be considered a noxious weed.

Introduced in the House

June 27, 2023

Introduced by Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-19) and 10 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Carrie Rheingans (D-47), Erin Byrnes (D-15), Reggie Miller (D-31), Rachel Hood (D-81), Kara Hope (D-74), Natalie Price (D-5), Regina Weiss (D-6), Emily Dievendorf (D-77), Kelly Breen (D-21) and Alabas Farhat (D-3)

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture

Oct. 11, 2023

Reported without amendment

Nov. 8, 2023

Passed in the House 88 to 21 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-9)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

Nov. 9, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Local Government

Feb. 20, 2024

Reported without amendment

Feb. 21, 2024

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Feb. 27, 2024

Reported without amendment

Feb. 28, 2024

Amendment offered by Sen. Joseph Bellino (R-16)

1. Amend page 2, following line 25, by inserting:

“Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless all of the following bills of the 102nd Legislature are enacted into law:

(a) Senate Bill No. 726.

(b) Senate Bill No. 727.”.

The amendment failed 18 to 19 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Michele Hoitenga (R-36)

1. Amend page 2, following line 25, by inserting:

“Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless all of the following bills of the 102nd Legislature are enacted into law:

(a) Senate Bill No. 724.

(b) Senate Bill No. 725.”.

The amendment failed 18 to 19 (details)

Passed in the Senate 24 to 14 (details)

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

March 12, 2024