In the Capitol
Committee meetings of interest for the week of 5/16
5/16 Joint Meeting of House Tax Policy and Senate Finance
Agenda: A general discussion with area businesses on the Governors single business tax restructuring proposal. Please note: the meeting will focus only on the parts of the proposal that deal with the single business tax.

5/17 Senate Judiciary
Agenda: SB 128 Require notification by e-mail to certain individuals when a registered sex offender relocates into or within a certain proximity of a zip code; SB 448 Revise, establish concurrent jurisdiction for probate judge and district judge, and provide other amendments; HB 4528 Eliminate statute of limitations on conspiracy to commit murder.

5/17 Senate Appropriations: Judiciary & Corrections
Agenda: SB 268 Department of corrections appropriations for fiscal year 2005-2006.
- Michigan Youth Correctional Facility
- Prison Programs
- Health Care Services

5/18 House Judiciary
Agenda: HB 4588 Enact comprehensive changes to crime victims rights act (For Testimony Only); HB 4597 Provide for penalties for indecent exposure while engaging in a lewd and lascivious act; HB 4598 Include crime of indecent exposure while engaging in a lewd and lascivious act under sex offender registration requirements; HB 4599 Include in sentencing guidelines indecent exposure while engaging in a lewd and lascivious act.

Complete Committee Meeting List

Legislation Introduced 5/10 – 5/12
Of Interest to the Legal Community
HB 4752 Probate; guardians and conservators; decisions regarding withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment; prohibit spouse with conflict of interest from making. Amends sec. 5310 of 1998 PA 386 (MCL 700.5310).

HB 4773 Torts; product liability; immunity from liability for drugs that have been approved by federal food and drug administration; rescind. Amends sec. 2946 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2946).

SB 497 Torts; immunity; liability for injuries sustained by renters and users of rented nonmotorized watercraft; clarify. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 44520a.

Of General Interest
HJR I State; bonds; constitutional amendment for the issuance of certain general obligation bonds and to allow for certain investments; provide for. Amends the state constitution by adding sec. 15a to art. IX.

HB 4748 Campaign finance; statements and reports; electronic filing of campaign finance reports; require computer terminals and personal assistance to be available at secretary of state's offices. Amends sec. 18 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.218).

HB 4749 Campaign finance; statements and reports; amount for mandatory electronic filing threshold; exclude personal loan by candidate to his or her own committee. Amends sec. 18 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.218).

HB 4750 Campaign finance; statements and reports; electronic filing of campaign finance reports; make optional for candidate committees and PACs. Amends sec. 18 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.218).

HB 4777 Torts; remedies; wrongful death statute's application to unborn child; clarify. Amends secs. 2922 & 2922a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2922 & 600.2922a).

SB 488 State; bonds; change the strategic fund act to the jobs for Michigan fund; implement. Amends title & secs. 3, 4 & 13 of 1984 PA 270 (MCL 125.2003 et seq.) & adds secs. 94 & 95 & ch. 8A. TIE BAR WITH: SJR C'05

In the Hall of Justice
Rule Amendments
2005-15 - Amendment of Rules 2, 5, and 6 of the Rules Concerning the State Bar of Michigan
The amendments allow for the adoption of electronic procedures in Rules 2, 5 and 6 of the Rules Concerning the State Bar of Michigan to facilitate online dues processing and electronic voting.
Issued: May 10, 2005
Effective: May 10, 2005
Public Hearing:To be scheduled

Other Actions
2005-01 - Appointment of Commissioner-at-Large of the State Bar of Michigan
On order of the Court, pursuant to State Bar Rule 5, Section 2, Kiffi Y. Ford is appointed commissioner-at-large of the State Bar of Michigan to fill the remainder of a three-year term, which commenced at the adjournment of the Board meeting held at the 2002 State bar Annual Meeting.
Issued: May 10, 2005

At the Bar
Judicial Vacancy - 7th Circuit Court
Judge Robert Ransom is vacating his seat on the 7th Circuit Court in Genesee County. The application deadline is June 23, 2005.

List of Certified Passers of the February 2005 Michigan Bar Examination

Wolverine Bar Foundation Honors Linda V. Parker with Damon J. Keith Community Spirit Award

Law Day Hotline Keeps Attorneys Busy

Sections and Committees
The Animal Law Section submitted the following public policy report:
Support: HB 4465 Natural resources; hunting; internet hunting; prohibit. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 40111b.

Support: SB 373 Natural resources; hunting; computer-assisted hunting from a remote location; prohibit. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 40111b.

Support: S. Res 33 A resolution urging the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt.
(This is a federal resolution.)

The Family Law Section submitted the following public policy reports:
Support: HB 4542 Family law; child support; graduated penalties for unpaid support; enact. Amends sec. 165 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.165). The Section offered a suggested amendment.

Support: SB 362 Retirement; generally; eligible domestic relations order act; amend. Amends sec. 2 of 1991 PA 46 (MCL 38.1702).

Oppose and Recommend State Bar Action: SB 379 Children; services; court-appointed special advocates; provide for. Creates new act.

See Report: SB 436 Family law; paternity; definition of "child born out of wedlock"; revise. Amends secs. 1, 4, 6, 7 & 10 of 1956 PA 205 (MCL 722.711 et seq.).

Oppose unless recommended language is adopted and SB 420 passes: SB 386 Family law; parenting time; grandparenting time; amend adoption code to establish child custody act provisions as controlling. Amends sec. 60, ch. X of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 710.60).

Support: SB 420 Family law; parenting time; provisions regarding grandparent visitation after stepparent adoption; limit to parent of a deceased parent. Amends sec. 7b of 1970 PA 91 (MCL 722.27b).

State News
Granholm, GOP Debate $2 Billion Jobs Plan
(Detroit News, 5/15/05)

Bills Set Up Savings For Retirement Health Care
(Lansing State Journal, 5/13/05)

Sheriff, Prosecutor Join Call To Eliminate Preliminary Hearings
(Lansing State Journal, 5/12/05)

Activists Want Repeal Of State Law Banning Suits Against Drug Makers
(Lansing State Journal, 5/10/05)

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