2019 has been a year of new beginnings for Michigan’s legislature and state government. With a new Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, House Speaker, Senate Majority Leader, and over 40 new legislators, state government has welcomed a significant number of new faces this year, as well as seen individuals return, but in new and important roles. While the 2019-2020 state budget remained the elephant in the room for most of the year, here is a list of 5 items you may have missed or forgotten about that occurred in state government during 2019.

• • In May, the legislature passed and Governor Whitmer signed into law changes to Michigan’s asset forfeiture laws. These changes impact the process for if and how law enforcement seizes property during criminal investigations. This was the culmination of years of work several legislators. Attorney General Nessel engaged on this early in 2019 and helped put her mark on these reforms.
  • Just this month, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency licensed its first adult use marijuana retail stores. For the first time in Michigan’s history, cannabis is now legally for sale to individuals without a medical cannabis card.
  • The legislature passed and the governor signed sweeping changes to Michigan’s auto no-fault insurance system. The major reforms included eliminating the requirement a motorist purchase auto insurance policies that provide lifetime medical benefits in the case of a catastrophic car accident. This law will begin to go into effect July 1, 2020.
  • Michigan residents can now register to vote through a secure, web-based online voter registration tool rolled out by Secretary of State Benson. This service will make Michigan one of 38 states that allows electronic voter registration for its residents.
  • The legislature passed legislation authorizing sports gaming and iGaming in Michigan. This would join Michigan with states like New Jersey, Indiana, and Iowa who have passed sports gaming and/or iGaming legislation of the past 12-months. While it will still be months before Michigan residents can place a legal wager on their phone, it is expected these bills will be signed into law in the coming weeks.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.