In the Capitol
Committee meetings of interest for the week of 6/13
6/14 Senate Judiciary
Agenda: SB 201 Concerning liability for a defect in a sidewalk, clarify that inference regarding a defect of less than 2 inches applies to any sidewalk maintained by a municipal corporation; SB 320 Allow ex parte emergency removal order allowing the department of human services to take protective custody of a child; HB 4565 Prohibit possession of certain MDPV, and establish penalties; And any other business to come properly before the committee.

6/14 House Appropriations: Corrections, Joint Meeting with Senate Appropriations: Corrections
Agenda: Public testimony on corrections issues.

6/16 House Judiciary
Agenda: HB 4589 Concerning liability for a defect in a sidewalk, clarify that inference regarding a defect of less than 2 inches applies to any sidewalk maintained by a municipal corporation; SB 77 Revise statute of limitations and statute of repose for actions against architects, engineers, and construction contractors.

Complete Committee Meeting List

New Public Acts

Legislation Introduced 6/7–6/9
View all bills introduced 6/7-6/9

Of Interest to the Legal Community
HB 4725 Crime victims; rights; information concerning minors who have been victims of child abuse or sex crimes; exempt from disclosure under the crime victims right act. Amends sec. 80 of 1985 PA 87 (MCL 780.830) & adds secs. 19b & 48b.

HB 4731 Civil procedure; costs and fees; motion fees in court of appeals; increase, and extend sunset. Amends sec. 321 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.321).

SB 416 Courts; judges; circuit court and district court judges; reduce in number. Amends secs. 504, 810a, 8121, 8150 & 8176 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.504 et seq.).

At The Bar
Vote Now in the 2011 State Bar of Michigan Elections

FOCUS: The Board of Commissioners met on June 10, 2011 at which time the State Bar of Michigan adopted the following public policy positions:

SB 361 Criminal procedure; DNA; deadline for filing petition for DNA testing of felony conviction cases; revise. Amends sec. 16, ch. X of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 770.16).
SBM Position: Support.

SB 387 Crimes; fleeing and eluding; penalties for crime of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer; provide mandatory minimum sentence. Amends sec. 479a of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.479a).
SBM Position: Oppose.

SB 388 Criminal procedure; sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crime of fleeing and eluding a peace officer; revise to reflect increased penalties. Amends sec. 16x, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16x).
SBM Position: Oppose.

State News
Michigan Redistricting Process Moving Forward
(Detroit News, 6/10/11)

Gov. Snyder, 15 GOP Legislators Target of Recall Efforts
(Detroit News, 6/9/11)

Parole Notification Bill Passes House Judiciary Committee After Address From Prosecutor
(Mlive.com, 6/9/11)

Gov. Rick Snyder Lauds Varnum Law Firm’s $1 Million Pledge Toward Advice for Business Start-Ups
(Mlive.com, 6/8/11)
See also:
Bravo, Varnum. Bravo, Pro Bono
(SBM Blog, 6/9/11)

Panel Recommends Pay Raises for Mich. Judges
(Detroit Free Press, 6/7/11)
See also:
Why Michigan Judges Deserve a Raise; Why They Aren’t Likely to Get One Soon
(SBM Blog, 6/6/11)

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