In the Capitol
Committee meetings of interest for the week of 4/28
4/29 Senate Appropriations: Human Services Department
Agenda item of interest: Juvenile Justice

4/30 House Judiciary
Agenda: HB 4973 Create exemption from open meetings act for employment relations commission; HB 5314 Allow penalties, fines, or costs to be collected in same manner as civil money judgment; HB 4909 Require, and revise procedures for determining admissibility electronic recording of certain custodial interrogation sessions as evidence.
For referral to the Committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources: HB 5754 Allow possession and operation of electrical devices designed to temporarily incapacitate persons to holders of concealed weapons permits; HB 5755 Revise provisions governing concealed pistol licensee's right to carry electro-muscular disruption device; HB 5756 Revise guidelines for carrying concealed pistol in prohibited place to include stun guns.
Focus: Nancy J. Diehl will be presenting information on the State Bar of Michigan's Custodial Interrogation Recording Task Force. Ms. Diehl is a former president of the State Bar and is co-chair of the Task Force.

4/30 Senate Appropriations: Judiciary & Corrections
Agenda: FY 2008-09 Judiciary Budget; Honorable Harvey J. Hoffman, Chief Judge, 56A District Court; James Neuhard, Director, State Appellate Defender's Office; Tom Harp, Administrator, Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel

5/1 House Insurance
Agenda item of interest: HB 5838 Increase no-fault mini-tort recovery. 

Complete Committee Meeting List

New Public Acts

At The Bar
Kalamazoo Gazette, Detroit Free Press Journalists Lead State Bar's 2008 McCree Award Winners

Live Radio Broadcast From SBM Headquarters to Kick Off Law Day Activities

Sections and Committees
The Civil Procedure and Courts Committee submitted the following public policy positions:
Oppose: SB 0989 Courts; juries; submission of written questions to witnesses by jurors; allow. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 2170.

Oppose: SB 0990 Courts; juries; jury summons; require to clearly explain conditions for exemption from jury service. Amends sec. 1332 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1332).

Oppose: SB 0991 Courts; juries; various requirements regarding jurors; implement. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 1350a.

Oppose: SB 0992 Courts; juries; exemption from jury service for individuals who have served within the preceding 24 months; provide for. Amends sec. 1307a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1307a).

Oppose: SB 0995 Courts; juries; peremptory challenges when selecting jurors; eliminate. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 1350b & repeals secs. 12 & 13, ch. VIII & sec. 17, ch. XIV of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 768.12 et seq.).

Oppose: SB 0996 Civil procedure; costs and fees; separate filing fee for each defendant named in a lawsuit; require. Amends secs. 2529 & 8371 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2529 & 600.8371. 

The Criminal Jurisprudence and Practice Committee submitted the following public policy positions:
Oppose: SB 0989 Courts; juries; submission of written questions to witnesses by jurors; allow. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 2170.

Oppose: SB 0990 Courts; juries; jury summons; require to clearly explain conditions for exemption from jury service. Amends sec. 1332 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1332).

Oppose: SB 0991 Courts; juries; various requirements regarding jurors; implement. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 1350a.

Oppose: SB 0992 Courts; juries; exemption from jury service for individuals who have served within the preceding 24 months; provide for. Amends sec. 1307a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1307a).

Oppose: SB 0995 Courts; juries; peremptory challenges when selecting jurors; eliminate. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 1350b & repeals secs. 12 & 13, ch. VIII & sec. 17, ch. XIV of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 768.12 et seq.).

Oppose: SB 0996 Civil procedure; costs and fees; separate filing fee for each defendant named in a lawsuit; require. Amends secs. 2529 & 8371 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2529 & 600.8371.

The Probate & Estate Planning Section submitted the following public policy positions:
Support: 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.).

Support: HB 5909 Probate; trusts; personal property trust perpetuities act; create. Creates new act.

Oppose: HB 4180 Probate; powers of attorney; uniform power of attorney act; enact. Creates new act & repeals secs. 5501 - 5505 of 1998 PA 386 (MCL 700.5501 - 700.5505).

State News
Calls Grow for Relief from Business Tax
(Detroit News, 4/28/08)

Defense Funds May Face Disclosure Law
(Free Press, 4/23/08)

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