State Rep. Cam Cavitt today gave testimony in front of the House Regulatory Reform Committee on his plan to protect children running lemonade stands in the state of Michigan. Joining him were local children from Presque Isle County, who were notified by their local health department that if wanted to sell lemonade, they would need to pay $57 bi-weekly and jump through other hoops.

“When they brought this issue to my attention, it left a sour taste in my mouth,” said Cavitt (R-Cheboygan). “These young entrepreneurs weren’t asking for special treatment, they were simply trying to make the best of lemons and learn a little about hard work along the way.”

Cavitt was joined in testimony by the Mielke family from Posen, who were being forced to pay excessive recurring fees for selling lemonade at a local farmer’s market. The Mielkes brought this issue to Cavitt’s attention, and they worked to find a real legislative solution.

“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.” 

House Bill 6007 would remove restrictions on lemonade stands operated by minors that earn less than $5,000 annually. Currently, regulations and exemptions for lemonade stands vary significantly across the state, with some local health departments requiring operators to obtain a permit and pay licensing fees. 

“We should never discourage our youth from engaging in entrepreneurship,” Cavitt said. “This is a common-sense reform. Children selling lemonade is not the same as a commercial food operation, and the state has to understand that difference. We need to let our kids have the opportunities to learn the basics of business and civic responsibility, and regulators need to step out of the way.”