In the Capitol
Committee meetings of interest for the week of 4/23
4/24 Senate Appropriations: Judiciary and Corrections Subcommittee
Agenda: The FY 2007-08 Budget for the Department of Corrections

4/24 Judiciary and Families and Human Services
Agenda: Presentation by Dr. Oliver J. Williams, National Expert on Domestic Violence Prevention

4/25 Senate Appropriations
Agenda item of interest: SB 233 Provide for judiciary budget for fiscal year 2007-2008.

Complete Committee Meeting List

Legislation Introduced 4/17 – 4/19
Of Interest to the Legal Community
HB 4602 Probate; trusts; statutory rule against perpetuities; limit application to real property. Amends title & secs. 1, 2 & 5 of 1988 PA 418 (MCL 554.71 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4603'07, HB 4604'07 

HB 4603 robate; trusts; reference to statutory rule against perpetuities; revise to reflect change in short title of act. Amends sec. 3 of 1949 PA 38 (MCL 554.53).

HB 4604 Probate; trusts; reference to uniform rule against perpetuities in estates and protected individuals act; revise to reflect change in short title. Amends secs. 2702 & 2722 of 1998 PA 386 (MCL 700.2702 & 700.2722). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4602'07 

Of General Interest
HB 4600 Retirement; state employees; health care reserve fund; create. Amends 1943 PA 240 (MCL 38.1 - 38.69) by adding sec. 49a.

In the Hall of Justice
2006 Annual Report Issued by Michigan Supreme Court; Technology, Children's Issues, Caseload Trends Featured

At the Bar
Law Day Event Invitation (PDF)

State Bar of Michigan to Sponsor Law Day Broadcast

Sections and Committees
The General Practice Section submitted the following public policy reports:
Oppose: HB 4449 (Gaffney) Health; occupations; judicial review of final determinations, orders, or decisions of a peer review entity and release of certain records, data, and knowledge relevant to that review pursuant to a subpoena; provide for under certain circumstances. Amends secs. 16244, 21513 & 21515 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16244 et seq.).

Oppose: HB 4473 (Cushingberry) Courts; other; statewide collection procedure for court orders of indigent clients; establish and require attorney of indigent client to assist in collection of fees. Amends secs. 6 & 15, ch. V of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 765.6 & 765.15) & adds sec. 3d to ch. XI. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4474'07 and HB 4474 (Cushinberry) Courts; other; indigent defense counsel fund; create. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 177. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4473'07

For a copy of the reports, please contact elyon@mail.michbar.org.

Federal News
After Adopting Term Limits, States Lose Female Legislators
(Washington Post, 4/22/07)

State News
State's Budget Woes Among Worst in U.S.
(Lansing State Journal, 4/23/07

Chief: Judges Should Give up Cars, Judiciary Should Shrink
(Detroit News, 4/23/07)

Granholm, Business Group Push for Quick Solution on Business Tax
(Lansing State Journal, 4/19/07)

House Rejects Part of Budget-Balancing Plan
(Lansing State Journal, 4/18/07)

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