“The death of a loved one is one of the hardest moments we face, especially for farming families who work together day in and day out for their entire lives,” said Neyer, R-Shepherd. “What we’re trying to do with my plan is ensure our farm families aren’t hit with massive penalties because they missed an obscure state requirement while grieving the unexpected loss of a loved one. If my brother, father, or child were to – God forbid – die in a tragic accident, my first response would be caring for the people I love, not filing paperwork with the state.”

“Our agricultural industry is the backbone of our state,” said Neyer, R-Shepherd. “We have 45,300 farms in Michigan, 99 percent of which are family-owned. Farming is more than a full-time job; it’s a lifestyle. Those 45,300 farms and the families that work them put their blood and sweat into their crops and livestock to ensure families across Michigan, the United States, and the world have food on their dinner tables.”