State Rep. Cam Cavitt this week testified in front of the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs in support of his plan to protect the rights of Michigan children seeking to run lemonade stands. 

“Children in my community made me aware of this issue,” said Cavitt (R-Cheboygan). “The Mielke family was told that they would need to pay recurring fees to operate a lemonade stand at a local farmers market. That didn’t make sense then, and it doesn’t make sense now. Kids who start a small lemonade stand are trying to learn firsthand about hard work, responsibility, and entrepreneurship. We shouldn’t let these foundational life lessons get caught up in red tape.” 

“Early this year, we went to Cam Cavitt’s Coffee Hour in Alpena,” explained Ethan Mielke. “I told him about the fees my brothers would have to pay and gave him letters we wrote. He said that he would help us figure out how to change that law. We hope this bill can come to a vote and pass so that other kids like us do not have to pay fees to sell lemonade.” 

HB 6007 would remove certain restrictions on lemonade stands operated by minors that generate less than $5,000 in annual revenue. Currently, regulations and exemptions for lemonade stands vary across the state, with some local health departments requiring operators to obtain a license and pay a fee. 

“A child selling a cup of lemonade should not have to navigate a confusing patchwork of regulations and fees just to learn the basics of running a small business,” Cavitt said. “Families should not have to wonder whether their child can operate a lemonade stand based on which side of the county line they happen to live on. With this bill, we’re creating greater clarity and consistency for Michigan families, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to move this bill forward.” 

HB 6007 was reported favorably out of the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and remains in the Senate for further consideration.