In
the Capitol
Committee
Meetings of Interest for the week of 4/24
4/25
House Tort Reform
Agenda: HB
5851 Create asbestos and silicosis compensation fairness act.
SBM
Position: To date, a formal position on HB 5851 has not been adopted.
However, the State Bar opposes section 3013, which calls for a limit
on attorney compensation and provides for sanctions against an attorney
for violating the set limits. The State Bar’s position
traditionally has been that any such limit is considered a regulation
of the profession, which is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
Supreme Court.
4/25
Senate Judiciary
Agenda: SB
1123 Create asbestos and silicosis compensation fairness act.
SBM
Position: To date, a formal position on SB 1123 has not been adopted.
However, the State Bar opposes section 3013, which calls for a limit
on attorney compensation and provides for sanctions against an attorney
for violating the set limits. The State Bar’s position
traditionally has been that any such limit is considered a regulation
of the profession, which is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
Supreme Court.
4/25
Senate Appropriations: Judiciary and Corrections
Agenda: The Fiscal Year 2006-07 Budget for the Judiciary Branch
Complete
Committee Meeting List
Legislation
Recently Signed into Public Acts
Legislation
Introduced 4/18 – 4/20
HB
5948 Torts; malpractice; affidavit of merit; require for all malpractice
actions against licensed professionals. Amends 1961
PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947)
by adding sec. 2912i.
HB
5953 Family law; marriage and divorce; provision regarding property
rights; modify. Amends sec. 1 of 1909
PA 259 (MCL 552.101).
Of
General Interest
SB
1216 Campaign finance; statements and reports; public financial
disclosure law for certain state office holders and candidates for
state office; create. Creates new act.
SB
1217 Public employees and officers; ethics; elected executive official
ethics act; create. Creates new act & repeals 1968
PA 318 (MCL 15.301 - 15.310) & 1973
PA 196 (MCL 15.341 - 15.348).
TIE BAR WITH: SB
1216'06, SB
1218'06
SB
1218 Legislature; ethics; legislative ethics act; create. Creates
new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB
1216'06, SB
1217'06
SB
1219 Campaign finance; campaign practices; political contribution
solicitation and acceptance; prohibit in public buildings. Amends 1976
PA 388 (MCL 169.201 - 169.282)
by adding sec. 57a. TIE BAR WITH: SB
1220'06
SB
1220 Occupations; lobbyists; lobbyist political contribution; restrict
delivery. Amends 1978
PA 472 (MCL 4.411 - 4.431)
by adding sec. 11a. TIE BAR WITH: SB
1219'06
SB
1221 Campaign finance; campaign practices; ban on acceptance of
honoraria by legislators; expand to include statewide elective offices.
Amends sec. 50 of 1976
PA 388 (MCL 169.250).
SB
1222 Occupations; lobbyists; honorarium; prohibit payment of to
certain persons. Amends 1978
PA 472 (MCL 4.411 - 4.431)
by adding sec. 21b.
SB
1223 Public employees and officers; ethics; regulation of public
servants' conduct regarding public contracts; revise. Amends secs.
1, 3a & 8 of 1968
PA 317 (MCL 15.321 et
seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB
1217'06SB
1218'06
SB
1226 Liquor; other; request via parent or guardian for alcohol
testing of minor on probation; allow and include regular or random
testing as condition of probation. Amends sec. 703 of 1998
PA 58 (MCL 436.1703).
| At
the Bar
FOCUS:
The State Bar will be hosting its second annual Public Policy Summit on
Wednesday, April 26 from 9:00 – 3:15
at the Michael Franck Building in Lansing, for all members who engage in
public policy analysis, recommendations and advocacy through State Bar
sections and committees. The
Summit features training sessions in the morning on how to be an effective
public policy advocate before the Michigan Legislature, Supreme Court and
with the media. There will be a networking luncheon with remarks by Chief
Justice Clifford Taylor and invited guests of honor including Michigan’s
lawyer-legislators. Afternoon sessions will focus on specific public policy
issues. For more information or to register for this event, please contact
Elizabeth Lyon at elyon@mail.michbar.org or
(517) 346-6325.
Federal
News
Arizona's
Strict Approach to Insanity Defenses Gets a Hearing Before the Supreme
Court
(New York Times,
4/20/06)
State
News
Secretary
of State Calls for Tougher Rules on Campaign Money
(Detroit Free Press, 4/24/06)
Early
Primary Scramble Starts
(Detroit News,
4/21/06)
Self-defense
Shooters Get House Boost
(Detroit Free
Press, 4/20/06)
SBM
Position: Actively oppose those provisions that eliminate judicial discretion
concerning the payment of fees and costs at the conclusion of trial.
Former
Michigan Congressman Dies at Age 88 in Florida
(Lansing State Journal, 4/20/06)
Granholm
Signs Bills Toughening High School Requirements
(Lansing State Journal, 4/20/06)
Despite
Gains in Senate, Number of Female Legislators Decreasing
(Lansing State Journal, 4/17/06)
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