Lawmaker assigned to six key committees, chairing one

State Rep. Beau LaFave has been appointed to serve on six committees for the 2019-20 legislative term, providing a unique opportunity to help the residents of Delta, Dickinson and Menominee counties across a variety of important issues they face.

LaFave is set to serve in two leadership roles as the chair of the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee, and vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee. LaFave will also serve as a member of the House Committees on Insurance, Oversight and Agriculture and the Select Committee on Reducing Car Insurance Rates.

The Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee will be responsible for deliberating policy on various issues related to our state’s veterans, military members and the protection of our communities statewide.

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with spearheading critical legislation aimed at making the lives of our military heroes a little bit easier upon returning home,” LaFave said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on crafting solutions aimed at increasing employment opportunities for our veterans and their accessibility to VA benefits statewide.”

The House Judiciary Committee will be one of a select few panels with the authority to report legislation to the House floor for consideration. In addition to handling issues related to Michigan’s criminal justice system, the panel will review and vet legislation from any House committee that creates or changes criminal penalties in the state. The Judiciary Committee will further debate how the new penalties fit into the wider criminal justice reform effort.

“As vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee, I will do everything under my jurisdiction to make sure we right-size our criminal laws while still protecting our communities,” LaFave said. “Just last year, about 20 percent of the state budget went toward our state’s correctional facilities. We need to look at where we can come together to make meaningful criminal justice reforms that continue to keep Michiganders safe and make better use of taxpayer dollars.”

The House Select Committee on Reducing Car Insurance Rates is specifically tasked with crafting genuine reforms to the state’s controversial no-fault insurance system, which forces Michigan drivers to pay the highest car insurance rates in the nation.

“The exorbitant cost of car insurance in Michigan remains the biggest issue in our state,” LaFave said. “I will not rest until we lower rates for all Michigan drivers.”

 The Oversight Committee is tasked with handling issues involving state government, including reviewing audit reports released by the Auditor General, legislation addressing governance of the Legislature and state agencies.

“Michigan cannot continue to rank dead last in government transparency,” LaFave said. “The taxpayers of our state deserve to know how efficiently their tax dollars are being used and where they’re being spent. This committee is a very important check and balance to the executive branch.”

The House Agriculture Committee is responsible for deliberating on all policy related to the agricultural industry in Michigan.

“The Upper Peninsula has a rich agricultural and logging industry that not only positively impacts our local economy, but also supplies many Michiganders with well-paying careers,” LaFave said. “I’m committed to introducing ideas that preserve and enhance Michigan’s agricultural economy, and I am willing to put up a fight against any idea that could hinder growth.”

“A special thank you goes to my friend and fellow Upper Peninsula lawmaker, Speaker Lee Chatfield,” LaFave said. “He has entrusted me with key leadership roles, and I am looking forward to serving under him during this legislative term. I’m excited to get to work and ensure the voices of Delta, Dickinson and Menominee counties are represented in Lansing.”