Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law on February 25, 2014, that bars cities, villages, townships and other local governments from buying flags and flag holders for veterans’ graves made outside the USA when competitively priced, comparable-quality USA-made ones are available.
What the law does
- Michigan law already requires local governments to supply a U.S. flag and a flag holder for each veteran’s grave when a recognized veterans’ organization or five eligible voters petition for them.
- The new law, 2014 Public Act 19 (Senate Bill 428), says those flags and holders may not be “assembled or manufactured outside of the United States” if competitively priced flags and holders of comparable quality made in Michigan or elsewhere in the USA are available.
- A local government that buys foreign-made flags or holders because USA-made ones were not available must post a notice saying so, along with the country of origin, on its website. If it has no website, it must post the notice at its main office.
- The Associated Press reported that local governments that do not comply could face fines of up to $500.
The state Senate gave the bill final approval on February 18, 2014. The law was introduced by state Sens. Kahn, Green, Marleau, Proos and Nofs and takes effect May 26, 2014.
Source & credit
Source: Michigan Legislature: 2014 Public Act 19 (Enrolled Senate Bill 428), approved February 25, 2014.
Additional sources: Associated Press via WNMU-FM: “Communities must buy U.S. flags made in America, if possible”, February 26, 2014; CBS Detroit: “Michigan Senate Says ‘Yes’ To American Made U.S. Flags”, February 18, 2014.