September 7- September 13, 2003
Volume 1 Issue 2

In the Capitol

The Michigan Legislature is currently recessed for the summer. The Senate will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16th.
View the 2003 Senate Schedule

The House of Representatives will hold its next session at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23rd.
View the 2003 House of Representatives Schedule

A number of committees of the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives will be meeting the week of September 15th

View the Committee Meetings Schedule
View the Standing Committees of the Senate
View the Standing Committees of the House of Representatives

Overview of Anticipated State Senate Actions
Full Text (Macomb Daily)

In the Hall of Justice

The Michigan Supreme Court will hold an administrative public hearing on Thursday, September 25, 2003, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Supreme Court courtroom located on the sixth floor of the Michigan Hall of Justice, 925 W. Ottawa Street, Lansing, Michigan 48915.
Agenda of Administrative Public Hearing
Directions to Hall of Justice and Visitor Parking

Supreme Court/Family Independence Agency Work Group Presents Final Report on Adoption Issues; Michigan Adoption Day to Take Place November 25
View Full text

At the Bar

The 68th Annual Meeting of the State Bar took place in Lansing September 11- 12.

During the final meeting of the 2002-2003 Board of Commissioners, the following public policy positions were adopted:

HB 4521
Probate; guardians and conservators; appointment of a conservator; allow court to pass over person having priority under certain circumstances.
Status: 4/3/03 Referred to House Committee on Judiciary
Full Text
State Bar of Michigan: 9/11/03 Board of Commissioners voted to oppose the bill. 

2003-13 Proposed Amendment of Rule 5.408 of the Michigan Court Rules
Issued: May 13, 2003
Comment period expires: September 1, 2003
Public Hearing: September 25, 2003
Review and modification of guardianships of legally incapacitated individuals
Full Text
State Bar of Michigan: 9/11/03 Board of Commissioners reconsidered a position of support submitted to the Supreme Court on August 25, 2003. The Board of Commissioners voted to take no position. The Elder Law and Advocacy Section opposes the proposed amendment.

Sections & Committees  
Under Bylaw Article VIII, sections and other entities of the State Bar of Michigan must report their positions on public policy issues as well as any recommendations on public policy positions they would like the State Bar to adopt, using a template provided by the State Bar. This template is now available online at the Public Policy Resource center.

Federal News

High Court Hears Campaign Reform Case
Full Text
(New York Times, 9/8/03 )

Senate Votes to Block New Overtime Rules
(Detroit Free Press, 9/10/03)

State News

Judicial Vacancies

Court Rules and Administrative Orders

Rule Amendments:

2001-47 Amendment of Rule 2.102 of the Michigan Court Rules
Issued: September 9, 2003
Effective: January 1, 2004

Rule 2.102 pertains to the dismissal of action for failure to serve summons prior to the expiration of the summons.  The Amendment changes language in 2.102 (D).
View Full Text

2001-17 Amendment of Rule 2.107 of the Michigan Court Rules
Issued: September 9, 2003
Effective: January 1, 2004

Rule 2.3107 relates to the service and filing of pleadings and other papers.  The Amendment alters language of 2.107 (G).
View Full Text

Proposed Amendments:

2003-47 In Re Petition for Administrative Order or Court Rule Establishing Inactive Asbestos Docketing System
Issued: September 11, 2003
Comment period expires: January 1, 2004
Public Hearing: To be scheduled

The proposal seeks comments regarding possible action by the Supreme Court to issue either an Administrative Order or Court Rule establishing an inactive asbestos docketing system.  The Court welcomes comments in consideration of this proposal.
View Full Text

Legislation Introduced 9/7 - 9/13
Due to the Michigan Legislature's summer break, no new legislation has been introduced.

Links of Interest

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