In the Capitol
Complete Committee Meeting List

Legislation Recently Signed into Public Acts.

Legislation Introduced 7/12
Of Interest to the Legal Community
SB 1356 (Switalski) Corrections; other; life sentence parole panel to review lifers who have served 30 years; establish and grant power to parole. Amends secs. 31a & 34 of 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.231a & 791.234) & adds sec. 31b.

Of General Interest
HJR Z (Ward) Constitutional amendments; state; approval process for ballot proposals amending the constitution; revise. Amends sec. 2, art. XII of the state constitution.

SB 1358 (Barcia) Labor; fair employment practices; job security for returning military personnel; provide for and provide penalties for noncompliance. Amends sec. 3 of 1955 PA 133 (MCL 32.273).

In the Hall of Justice
Other Actions
2006-01 - Appointment of Chief Judge of the Kent County Probate Court
Issued: July 25, 2006

2006-01 - Appointment of Chief Judge of the Midland County Circuit Court
Issued: July 25, 2006

Federal News
On Prosecuting Detainees
(Washington Post, 7/28/06)

Voting Rights Act Renewed for 25 Years by President
(Washington Times, 7/28/06)

Lawmakers Urge Funds for U.S. Attorneys
(Washington Post, 7/25/06)

Drug Treatment Urged in Criminal Justice
(Washington Times, 7/25/06)

State News
Lawmakers Sign Off on Budget; Spending Bills Go to Granholm
(Lansing State Journal, 7/27/06)

At the Bar
FOCUS: The Board of Commissioners met on Friday, July 29, 2006. The following public policy positions were adopted by the State Bar of Michigan:

Support a resolution submitted by the Pennsylvania Bar Association to support legislation that would repeal the statutory prohibition imposed on veterans who wish to pay an attorney to represent them in connection with their claims for federal benefits.
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Court of Appeals budget and potential fee increases, as presented by Hon. William C. Whitbeck, Chief Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals:
Increasing the entry fee by 7% from $375 to $400, to account for the cumulative effect of inflation since the last fee increase in October 2003.
POSITION: Active Support
Increasing the motion fees by 7%, from $100 to $107 and from $200 to $214, to account for the same cumulative increase in inflation.
POSITION: Active Support
Increasing copy fees by $1.00, from 50 cents per page to $1.50 per page.
POSITION: Active Support
Creating a new fee of $25 to be paid upon the filing with the Supreme Court of an application for leave to appeal from a decision of the Court of Appeals.
POSITION: Active Support
Creating a new fee of $200 to be charged upon the filing in a civil matter of a signed stipulation to extend time within which a party’s brief must be filed.
POSITION: Active Opposition

HB 5633 (Hoogendyk) State; symbol; English; establish as the official state language. Creates new act.
POSITION: Support in Principle

HB 5851 (Gaffney) Torts; personal injury; asbestos and silicosis compensation fairness act; create. Amends sec. 5827 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5827) & adds ch. 30 & sec. 5840.
POSITION: Active Opposition

HB 5680 (Lemmons III) Occupations; attorneys; requirement for law school as eligibility for state bar exam; eliminate. Amends sec. 943 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.943) & repeals sec. 940 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.940).
POSITION: Oppose in Principle

SB 947 (Birkholz) Counties; other; alienation by deed, proof and recording of conveyances, and the canceling of mortgages; eliminate. Repeals sec. 24 of 1846 RS 65 (MCL 565.24).
POSITION: Active Opposition

SB 1123 (Cropsey) Torts; personal injury; asbestos and silicosis compensation fairness act; create. Amends sec. 5827 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5827) & adds ch. 30 & sec. 5840.
POSITION: Active Opposition

SB 1149 (Patterson) Torts; malpractice; procedure for affidavit of merit for medical malpractice; revise. Amends sec. 2912d of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2912d). TIE BAR WITH: SB 1150'06
POSITION: Support in Principle

SB 1150 (Patterson) Torts; malpractice; procedure for affidavit of meritorious defense in medical malpractice action; revise. Amends sec. 2912e of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2912e). TIE BAR WITH: SB 1149'06
POSITION: Support in Principle

SB 1203 (Cropsey) Liens; foreclosure; individuals authorized to foreclose a mortgage; expand and provide certain revisions to redemption period. Amends secs. 3240 & 3241a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.3240 & 600.3241a).
POSITION: Support in Principle, provided that the bill includes notification by certified mail to junior interests and that it be restricted in scope to improved real estate.

For more information regarding these positions, please contact Elizabeth Lyon at elyon@mail.michbar.org or (517) 346-6325.

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