In the Capitol
Committee meetings of interest for the week of 3/3
3/4 House Appropriations: Human Services
Agenda: Prevention and Diversion Programs including but not limited to: In Home Care, Drug Court Model, and Youth Prisoner Diversion; Public Testimony.

3/4 Senate Judiciary
Agenda: SB 0915 Require proof of citizenship and residency for name change; SB 0916 Revise sentencing guidelines to reflect the amendment of citation to section of probate code of 1939; SB 0945 Prohibit obtaining personal information on the internet by false pretenses; SB 1059 Clarify process for judicial waiver of parental consent requirement; Presentation entitled "Michigan at the Crossroads: Crime and Victimization in Michigan."

3/4 Senate Transportation
Agenda item of interest: SB 1066 Allow attendance at basic driver improvement course in lieu of being found responsible for traffic violation under certain circumstances.

3/5 House Appropriations: Judiciary
Agenda: Overview of SADO Budget Request for FY 2008-2009.

3/5 House Judiciary
Agenda: HB 5332 Provide for paperless insurance verification system; HB 5333 Create, and provide for access by law enforcement officers to civil infraction procedures; paperless insurance verification system; HB 5829 Revise eligibility for parole for certain prisoners; HB 5830 Clarify applicability of statute for persons sentenced to lifetime probation for certain drug crimes; HB 5831 Clarify certain provisions regarding lifetime probationers. 

Complete Committee Meeting List

New Public Acts

Legislation Introduced 2/26 – 2/28
Of Interest to the Legal Community
HB 5796 Civil procedure; evidence; information obtained by union agent in course of representing union member; create privilege for. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 2170.

HB 5799 Campaign finance; public funding; public funding for supreme court campaigns; provide for. Amends secs. 3, 5, 7, 10 & 11 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.) & adds secs. 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 108 & 109.

HB 5810 Appropriations; judiciary; judiciary budget; provide for fiscal year 2008-2009. Creates appropriation act.

HB 5814 Appropriations; human services; department of human services; provide for fiscal year 2008-2009. Creates appropriation act.

HB 5828 Children; adoption; posthumous adoptions; provide for retroactivity for posthumous adoptions and medical assistance payments. Amends 1939 PA 288 (MCL 710.21 - 712A.32) by adding sec. 56a to ch. X & repeals (see bill).

HB 5829 Corrections; parole; eligibility for parole for certain prisoners; revise. Amends sec. 34 of 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.234).

HB 5830 Criminal procedure; probation; persons sentenced to lifetime probation for certain drug crimes; clarify applicability of statute. Amends secs. 7401 & 7403 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7401 & 333.7403) & repeals sec. 7413 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7413).

HB 5831 Criminal procedure; probation; certain provisions regarding lifetime probationers; clarify. Amends sec. 2, ch. XI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 771.2).

HB 5833 Courts; funding; specified portion of unencumbered balance of the juror compensation reimbursement fund; transfer to general fund for 2007-2008 fiscal year. Amends sec. 151d of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.151d).

HB 5838 Insurance; no-fault; mini-tort recovery; increase. Amends sec. 3135 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3135).

SB 1152 Appropriations; judiciary; judiciary budget; provide for fiscal year 2008-2009. Creates appropriation act.

SB 1160 Records; public; permanent indexes and recording of certain mortgage documents; revise procedures. Amends secs. 27, 28 & 43 of 1846 RS 65 (MCL 565.27 et seq.) & repeals sec. 26 of 1846 RS 65 (MCL 565.26).

Of Interest General Interest
HB 5800 Torts; liability; parents' financial responsibility for children's acts; exclude if parent is not reasonably able to control child. Amends sec. 2913 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2913).

HB 5836 Juveniles; other; public ward placed in child placing agency or child care institution not accredited; prohibit state from paying for services. Amends sec. 5 of 1974 PA 150 (MCL 803.305).

HB 5837 Juveniles; other; court entering a disposition to place juvenile who is a public ward in a public or private institution that is not accredited; prohibit state funds to cover cost. Amends sec. 18, ch. XIIA of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 712A.18).

In the Hall of Justice
Freedom of Information Act Suits Against State Universities to be Heard by Michigan Supreme Court in Oral Arguments This Week

At The Bar
Conklin Joins SBM as Justice Initiatives Program Manager

Federal News
U.S. Imprisons One in 100 Adults, Report Finds
(New York Times, 2/29/08)

State News
State’s Services Score High in Report
(Detroit News, 3/3/08)

Bill Seeks Tougher Penalties for Gang Members
(Lansing State Journal, 3/3/08)

State Warily Awaits Feb. Revenue Report
(Lansing State Journal, 3/3/08)

Michigan 1 of Only 4 State to Spend More Money on Prison Than College
(Detroit Free Press, 2/28/08)

Voter Preferences Stay Secret For Now
(Detroit Free Press, 2/28/08)

Justices Wrestle with Michigan Lawsuits Against Pfizer
(Mlive.com, 2/25/08)

Links of Interest
Public Policy Resource Center | Michigan Supreme Court | Michigan Legislature | MCL Search Engines