In the Capitol
Committee meetings of interest for the week of 3/7
3/8 Senate Judiciary
Agenda: HB 4233 Require state and federal criminal history check for applicant for an occupational license (horse racing); HB 4210 Eliminate requirement for prosecution to show proof that a driver of a fleeing vehicle has knowledge of injuries; SB 193 Eliminate election districts within the eighth judicial district; SB 74 Prohibit and provide penalties reporting a false "Amber alert"; SB 134 Provide for sentencing guidelines for crime of intentionally falsely reporting the abduction of a child to authorities; SB 286 Require criminal background checks for users of online dating services.

3/9 House Judiciary
Agenda: HB 4025 Require bond for district court magistrates to be filed with local funding unit; HB 4327 Provide for record expungement for certain offenders.

Complete Committee Meeting List

Capitol Agenda

Legislation Introduced 3/1–3/3
Of Interest to the Legal Community
HB 4420 Children; abuse or neglect; circumstances under which an investigation may commence; revise.

HB 4450 Vehicles; title; perfection of a security interest in a motor vehicle; provide for.

HB 4451 Vehicles; title; perfection of a security interest in a watercraft; provide for.

HB 4452 Mobile homes; title; perfection of a security interest in a mobile home; provide for.

HB 4454 Commercial code; secured transactions; priority of statutory liens; clarify.

SB 259 Mental health; other; diversion from jail for certain individuals under certain circumstances; amend mental health code to allow. TIE BAR WITH SB 260

SB 260 Criminal procedure; other; diversion from jail for certain individuals under certain circumstances; amend code of criminal procedure to allow. TIE BAR WITH SB 259

SB 263 Crime victims; statements; hearsay rule; exempt certain statements of domestic violence victims.

SB 271 Appropriations; family independence agency; family independence agency; provide for fiscal year 2005-2006.

SB 275 Appropriations; judiciary; judiciary budget; provide for fiscal year 2005-2006.

SB 284 Labor; fair employment practices; employer monitoring of employee communications; prohibit unless the employer establishes an employee monitoring policy and discloses that policy to employees.

Of General Interest
HB 4422 Retirement; state employees; early retirement for certain employees; provide for.

HB 4425 Trade; labeling; posting a notice when play structures contain chromated copper arsenate; require.

HB 4428 Environmental protection; other; environmental contaminants harmful to children; require identification of and publication of information on avoiding exposure to.

HB 4431 Crimes; homicide; definition of first degree murder; expand to include murder committed in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of aggravated stalking, the violation of a personal protection order, and the violation of a condition of release on bond or on parole.

In the Hall of Justice
Beach Use Case to be Heard by Michigan Supreme Court; Wayne State Law School is Setting for Second Day of Oral Arguments

Other Actions
2005-01 - Appointment of Chief Judge of the 19th District Court
On order of the Court, pursuant to MCR 8.110, the Honorable Leo K. Foran is appointed chief judge of the 19 th District Court, effective immediately, for the unexpired portion of a term of two years, which commenced January 1, 2004.
Issued: March 3, 2005

At the Bar
New Home For SBM "Big Four" Portrait

New Michigan Online Legal Self-Help Center Provides Resources To The Public

Skate For Justice Event To Benefit ATJ Fund For Civil Legal Aid Programs

ATJ Fund Surpasses Five Million Dollar Goal For 2004

GM Attorney To Be Named Top Prosecutor

State News
Victims Get New ID Theft Protections
(Lansing State Journal, 3/1/2005)

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