State Rep. Jerry Neyer on Thursday testified before the House Agriculture Committee in support of his plan to protect grieving family farmers from steep state fines. House Bill 4017 would reduce penalties levied against family farms that fail to properly report a workplace death of an immediate family member within the currently required eight-hour window.

“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.”

The need for changes to state law stems from a 2019 incident in which the co-owner of a family farm, Keith Eisenmann, fell through a roof while making repairs on a barn and died from his injuries.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) requires employers to report any employee workplace death within eight hours. The Eisenmann families, understandably distraught following the loss of their loved one, did not file the paperwork within the eight-hour window. That minor oversight led to state officials fining the family more than $12,000.

Barb Eisenmann – who started dating Keith in middle school, over 47 years before he died – was forced to pay the hefty fine because she prioritized the care of her family over state-mandated paperwork in the immediate aftermath of her husband’s death.

Neyer was joined by Barb Eisenmann for committee today.

“The insensitivity in how the state treated the Eisenmann family is inexcusable,” Neyer said. “These folks lost a husband, father, brother, and grandfather. They were right to grieve. They were right to take some time and process the tragedy that no one could’ve seen coming. State officials should’ve extended a helping hand in their time of need. Instead, they weaponized their department to punish the grieving family.”

Under Neyer’s legislation, family farms will still have to report workplace fatalities for immediate relatives, but the fines for failing to properly do so within the eight-hour window will be substantially reduced; penalties will be reduced by 80 percent if the family farm does not have any prior violations.

“Family farms make up the most uniquely diverse industry we have in Michigan,” said Neyer, who’s worked as a dairy farmer for more than 30 years. “Some of these operations are staffed by dozens of people and managed by family, while others are solely operated by two or three family members. State law treats them the same as huge corporations with massive teams trained to deal with tragic accidents. My plan would ensure state officials aren’t treating workplace accidents at a small family farm with the same intensity and harshness as they may treat an incident at a large corporation.”

Last year, a similar bill introduced by Neyer passed the House with near unanimous support but was never given further consideration in the Senate.

“This time around, I’ve been working with senators left and right to make sure they understand the importance of getting this done,” Neyer said. “The Eisenmann family has been waiting long enough – it’s time the Legislature finally does its job and delivers for these people.”

House Republicans have been partnering with the Eisenmann family to secure these changes to state law since 2021.

HB 4017 remains in the House Agriculture Committee, awaiting further consideration.

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