SB 770 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Food: milk; definition of pasteurized milk ordinance; update. Amends sec. 6 of 2001 PA 266 (MCL 288.476).

SB 770 updates Michigan's definition of "Pasteurized Milk Ordinance" (PMO) to reference the current 2023 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revision instead of the prior 2017 version. This technical correction aligns Michigan's dairy law with the most recent federal standards for pasteurized milk safety. The bill does not create new requirements or directly affect specific groups - it simply ensures the law references the current PMO version used by federal regulators. This is a procedural update to existing definitions, not a substantive policy change.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Last action May 21, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill As Passed by the Senate · 4 edits · Mar 19, 2026
MODERATE
This bill updates the legal definitions within Michigan's Grade A milk law to reflect modern terminology and clarify the roles of various stakeholders. The changes primarily add new definitions for 'Processor' and 'Producer' to ensure clear accountability, while updating existing terms like 'Person' to explicitly include corporations. The revision also modernizes the reference to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance from the 2017 to the 2023 version, ensuring compliance with current federal safety standards.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of defined entities by explicitly including corporations under the definition of 'Person' and adding specific definitions for 'Processor' and 'Producer' to clarify who is subject to the law's regulations.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Processor' to specify it as the owner or operator of a milk plant.

Added a new definition for 'Producer' to clarify it includes anyone who owns a dairy farm and sells the milk, including those using marketing agreements.

Updated the definition of 'Person' to explicitly include 'corporation' alongside other business entities.

TECHNICAL

Updated the reference to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance from the 2017 revision to the 2023 revision.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2026

How they voted

306
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 38
Mar 19, 2026
D Democratic19
17 Yea 2
89% Yea
R Republican19
13 Yea 6 Nay
68% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
7
May 21, 2026
Committee
referred to second reading
lower
May 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported with recommendation without amendment
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
referred to Committee on Government Operations
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Introduced
received on 03/19/2026
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED ROLL CALL # 46 YEAS 29 NAYS 6 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 3/10/2026
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Introduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOHN CHERRY
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of John Cherry
John Cherry
DDemocratic
MI
27