In late May, I introduced Senate Bill 494 to renew the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program.

This legislation protects the integrity of the MAEAP program while not imposing any new costly fees on our farmers. MAEAP is a proven successful program that has helped farms of all sizes and commodities voluntarily reduce agricultural pollution risks through education and on-farm assistance. Approximately 3,500 Michigan farms have completed nearly 6,000 on-farm verifications through MAEAP. MAEAP has helped farms across Michigan reduce agricultural pollution risks for more than 20 years.

A wide range of agricultural and conservation organizations have shown their support for SB 494. The renewal of this program will ensure our farmers are supported in their conservation practices, so they can continue to feed families across our state and be good stewards of the environment.

You can watch a short video with additional information here.

A pair of bills I sponsored that would allow pharmacists to dispense insulin under certain emergency circumstances have been approved by both chambers of the state Legislature and are now on the desk of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer awaiting signature.

Senate Bill 155 would allow pharmacists to dispense up to a 30-day supply of insulin to an individual if the individual has no current refills on file, but they have a preexisting relationship with that pharmacy, and the pharmacist cannot get ahold of the original prescriber.

SB 156 would amend the Insurance Code so an emergency refill dispensed in this situation would be covered by an individual’s health insurance.

I was happy to see such broad, bipartisan support for this legislation. This is good public policy and I hope the governor quickly signs these bills into law.

I proudly co-sponsored legislation that would allow law-abiding adults to conceal carry firearms without a license.

Senate Bills 489-492 would repeal the current requirement to obtain a concealed pistol license for individuals who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing a pistol and allow concealed carry without a license where either open-carry or concealed-pistol license holders are currently allowed to do so.

SBs 489-492 were referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee for consideration.

The state Senate recently gave final approval to my legislation that would provide financial relief to businesses affected by the pandemic and associated shutdowns.

Senate Bill 393 would provide businesses with additional property tax relief for tax years 2020 and 2021.

The legislation includes a two-year refundable tax credit for businesses that were shut down due to the pandemic for at least six weeks and lost at least 25% of their sales. This is an income tax credit that would allow the eligible business to claim a credit equal to the amount of property taxes attributable to the business during the same calendar year.

The property on which the credit is based must be used in connection with the afflicted business. It would not apply to property held by a business that is used for other purposes. Businesses will still need to pay their property taxes; this legislation simply provides an avenue to recoup certain losses associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

This legislation was designed to help small businesses keep their doors open. We lost a lot of mom and pop businesses during the shutdowns. I truly feel for the people who were forced to make that choice and the families who were affected. I introduced this bill to hold out another helping hand to try and help some businesses stay afloat.

The bill is currently before the House of Representatives for consideration.

I again voted against legislation that would strip away local control and create a statewide sand and gravel mining permit process through the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Senate Bills 429-431 would strip the ability of local governments across the state from having a say in mining operations within their jurisdiction. If signed into law, the bills will create a statewide, one-size-fits-all process that will treat all communities and all mining operations alike — despite no two communities or mining operations being the same.

I spent many years serving as a township supervisor. I understand the frustrations Metamora officials and the community are currently facing with this troublesome legislation.

In the meantime, I will continue fighting for folks back home. These people live, work, and raise their families here. They certainly ought to have a say what kind of operation goes on in their back yards. We should not be stripping our communities of local control and handing over all decision-making authority to a state department.

The bills are currently being debated by the House of Representatives.

Republicans in the Senate have introduced legislation aimed at reforming the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Gov. Whitmer’s mismanagement of the UIA was exposed when her COVID-19 shutdown orders left thousands of Michigan residents out of work through no fault of their own. But just when their services were needed most, the UIA continued to be plagued by backlogs, identity fraud, and even theft, while honest citizens struggled to receive their benefits.

Senate Bills 531-536 would require local branches to open and begin serving residents; limit the length of emergency rules and require legislative approval for emergency rule extensions beyond six months; prohibit the agency from removing work search requirements; require background checks for third-party contractors; and establish a unit of employees dedicated exclusively to monitoring and investigating fraudulent activity.

The bills were referred to the Senate Committee on Economic and Small Business Development for consideration.

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund is now accepting grant proposals for their 2021 Healthy Aging program.

The fund was created by the Legislature in 2013 (Public Act 4 of 2013). The law requires Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to contribute up to $1.56 billion over 18 years to a health endowment fund that benefits Michigan residents, and specifies that the fund should focus on children and seniors.

The aim of the 2021 Healthy Aging initiative is to improve the health and wellness of Michigan’s older adults, while reducing the cost of health care. Successful proposals will focus on one of three strategic priority areas: improving the quality of health care for older adults; coordinating care in ways that lead to better health outcomes and lower the overall cost of care; and supporting caregivers of older adults in providing care.

Applications for grants of up to $500,000 are due Aug. 10. For more information, please visit Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

Congratulations to State Savings Bank for opening their downtown Caro loan center. It was a pleasure to be able to attend their ribbon cutting and welcome them to the Caro community!

I welcomed Vietnam War veteran Keith D. Markstrom to the Capitol as my guest for the Michigan Senate’s 26th Annual Memorial Day Service on Tuesday, June 15.

Markstrom is a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served in the 702nd MID-USARV Counter Intelligence Division. Markstrom currently serves as president of the Bay County Veterans Foundation.

I recently joined other Great Lakes Bay Region lawmakers Sen. Ken Horn and Reps. Amos O’Neal and Timothy Beson in welcoming Michigan Sugar Queen Shaelynn Lavrack and Court Attendant Haley Bell to the state Capitol.

It was my pleasure to join my colleagues in welcoming these talented, driven young ladies to Lansing. I hope they keep up the great work and continue helping make Michigan a better place!

My office is happy to offer legislative tributes in honor of noteworthy events such as retirement, anniversaries of businesses in our community, awards and public recognitions.

The 31th state Senate District includes all of Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties.