As an agricultural community, we stand behind, support, and respect our law enforcement officers.
We support:
Law enforcement agencies being maintained and funded at levels to provide adequate training and service.
Effective use of current police powers, but oppose further expansion in order to preserve individual rights.
The state and federal law to be upheld in our courts and not apply any foreign law to domestic activities that could impair constitutional rights.
Funding of rural and urban patrols to curb drug and vandalism issues.
Law enforcement agencies to develop youth liaison programs.
Juvenile justice reform, including youth prisons, for violent and dangerous juveniles.
Capital punishment.
Producers and/or county Farm Bureaus to meet with local law enforcement and local elected officials to discuss the importance of balancing agriculture’s concerns with the use of fireworks.
Legislation that would define and create the establishment of fireworks-free agriculture and livestock safety zones.
Additional tools to aid in the identification and prosecution of individuals involved in the theft of copper wire and other recyclable materials from farms.
We oppose:
Further restrictions on firearm rights and fully support Second Amendment rights.
The use of state and national funding for public nuisance issues, such as seat belt enforcement zones.
Trespass
We encourage legislation at local and state levels, which strengthens private property rights on all land, to protect farmers and all landowners against trespassers and vandals. Due to the increased pressure on landowners from trespassers on private property, we encourage implementation of the following:
The ability to prosecute trespassers regardless of whether or not “No Trespassing” signs were posted.
Rigorous enforcement of the Michigan Recreational Trespass law.
Property owners should not be held liable for any accidents, injuries, or damage to personnel, equipment, and/or property, by trespassers.
Increased fines and penalties for trespassing.
Amendments to the Michigan statutes imposing civil liability for recreational and non-recreational trespass, that set a jurisdictional limit of $3,000 or five times the actual damages, whichever is higher, and include incurred attorney fees and court costs, payable to the landowner and or lessee.
Increased fines for trespass and damages for losses incurred on land enrolled in PA 116 or other land preservation programs, the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, or land participating in a food safety or security program.
Confiscation of unmanned aircraft, vehicle or off-road vehicle for repeat trespassers.
Use of photography for the immediate arrest of a trespasser.
Revocation of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges and loss of vehicles used in the violation.
Impaired Driving
Driving is a privilege, not a right. For offenses which result in death or serious injury, penalties for the illegal use of handheld electronic mobile devices should be similar to those for drunk driving.
We support the development of a blood/breath test for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) so that impaired drivers can be identified and prosecuted.
We support establishing a limit for THC for impaired driving.
We support changes to legislation that would require convicted offenders to serve consecutive, rather than concurrent, sentences for the following offenses causing death or serious injury while operating a motor vehicle:
Operating with any bodily presence of drugs/alcohol that cause impairment.
Operating while license suspended, revoked, or denied.
Operating while illegally using handheld electronic mobile device.
We also support legislation establishing stricter guidelines for habitual offenders that would lower the bar for deeming a person a habitual offender. These sentences should be served consecutive to any felony convictions.