NOXIOUS WEEDS; MILKWEED H.B. 4857:
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 4857 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Samantha Steckloff
Senate Committee: Local Government
CONTENT
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.
Generally, noxious weeds are plant species that are regarded as nuisances and, according to the State, should be eradicated. The Act requires property owners, and allows local governments, to control and eradicate weeds defined as noxious weeds, such as Canada thistle, poison ivy, or poison sumac.
MCL 247.62
BACKGROUND
The genus Asclepias (milkweed) contains about 115 species that occur in the Americas, the most common type of which is common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.). In particular, common milkweed is known as a weedy plant because of its ability to reproduce quickly. Milkweed contains levels of cardiac glycoside compounds that make the plants toxic to most insects and animals; however, for over 450 insects, among them the monarch butterfly, milkweed provides high amounts of food from its nectar, sap, leaves, and flowers. Other common insects that feed on milkweed include the red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetraophthalmus), the milkweed tussock caterpillar (Euchaetes egle), and the large (Oncopeltus fasciatus) and small (Lygaeus kalmia) red and black milkweed bugs.[1]
Legislative Analyst: Alex Krabill
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Bruce R. Baker
Bobby Canell
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
[1] Taylor, David, United States Forest Service, Plant of the Week Common Milkweed, 2024.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.