Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist Signs First Bill as Acting Governor, Makes Michigan History

LANSING – Lt. Gov. Gilchrist, in his role as acting governor, signed House Bill 4044, which passed with strong bipartisan support. With the bill signing, Lt. Governor Gilchrist becomes the first black lieutenant governor to sign a bill into law in our state's history.
"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. "Gov. 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."
The signed legislation will reverse the lifelong ban on felons who submit applications for insurance producer licenses by allowing the Department of Insurance and Financial Services to issue those licenses to individuals who have not been convicted of a felony in the last 10 years.
While many applicants with prior felonies will be granted an insurance producer license, the new law will still provide exemptions for people with violence-, fiduciary- or financially related crimes.
Under current law, the State of Michigan does not grant insurance licenses to individuals with felony convictions. As a result, the State denied 61 applications due to prior felony convictions in 2018.
Lt. Governor Gilchrist is serving as the acting governor due to Gov. Whitmer's overseas business trip to Israel to strengthen relationships and build business ties with startups and mobility companies. House Bill 4044, sponsored by State Rep. Michele Hoitenga, will take immediate effect.