Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist became the first black lieutenant governor to sign a bill into law on Thursday, after signing a variety of bills impacting felons, property taxes, liquor regulations and farming practices.
Gilchrist is currently serving as acting governor while Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is travelling for a business trip to Israel. The trip is aimed at strengthening relationships and building business ties within the country.
“As the first black lieutenant governor to sign a bill into law, today’s historic action symbolizes the opportunity that exists when we create a space for more participation from a more diverse set of voices and experiences,” Gilchrist said in a statement. “Governor Whitmer and I built the most diverse administration in our state’s history because we believe that our practices, policies, and proposals should reflect and enable Michiganders from all backgrounds to be successful.”
Today I became the 1st Black Lt. Governor to sign a bill into law in Michigan’s history. #StandTALL pic.twitter.com/poSHC8Xar0
— Garlin Gilchrist II (@LtGovGilchrist) November 21, 2019
The first bill Gilchrist signed eliminates a previously lifelong ban on felons who submit applications to be insurance producer licenses. Going forward, the Department of Insurance and Financial Services can issue licenses to people who have not been convicted of a felony in the last 10 years.
The law still prohibits the license to those who have been convicted of felonies that were violent or related to fiduciary or financial crimes.
Gilchrist also signed House Bills 4209, 4408, 4226, 4959, 4960 and 4961, as well Senate Bills 320 and 174. The bills cover a range of topics, including agricultural and liquor regulations.
The lieutenant governor’s office highlighted the signing of Senate Bill 175, which mandates that only eggs laid by cage-free hens can be sold in Michigan by December 2024.
“The package of bills not only address the provisions around egg-laying hens in the state, but it also provides the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development with key disease emergency response tools which are critical for protecting public and animal health,” said MDARD director Gary McDowell in a statement. “I appreciate everyone who came to the table to develop policy that moves the state forward, supports Michigan’s farming community and helps protect public health.”
The law makes Michigan the largest egg-producing state in the nation to mandate laying hens must be cage-free. Michigan joins California, Washington, Oregon and Rhode Island with the requirement.
“Michigan is known for having one of the most diverse agricultural and farming industries in the nation,” Gilchrist said in a statement. “Signing this bill is the right thing to do. This will ensure that our standards are amongst the strongest in the nation when it comes to protecting animal welfare, while ensuring that egg producers are able to continue to thrive.”
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Garlin Gilchrist” by Garlin Gilchrist.
