In the Capitol
The Michigan House and Senate have set their session calendar for the rest of the year.
Senate Session Schedule
House Session Schedule

Complete Committee Meeting List

New Public Acts

Legislation Introduced 7/27
View all bills introduced 7/27

Of General Interest
HB 4862 Mental health; community mental health; merger of mental health and substance abuse services; provide for. Amends secs. 100b, 206 & 208 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1100b et seq.) & repeals art. 6 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.6101–333.6523).

HB 4863 Health; substance abuse treatment; local substance abuse treatment coordinating agencies; eliminate, and refer to substance abuse services provided by community mental health services programs. Amends secs. 7408a, 16106a, 16221 & 18214 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7408a et seq.).

At the Bar
Judicial Vacancy—36th District Court, Wayne County
Hon. Nancy A. Farmer is vacating her seat at 36th District Court, Wayne County. State Bar members interested in applying for the judgeship should submit an application by August 19, 2011.
View Information

Sections and Committees
The Probate & Estate Planning Section submitted Public Policy positions on the following items:
Support Substitute for SB 0092: SB 0092 Probate; powers of attorney; written acknowledgment of responsibilities by agent appointed under a power of attorney; require. Amends sec. 5501 of 1998 PA 386 (MCL 700.5501).

Oppose: SB 0404 Human services; medical services; medicaid estate recovery program; revise. Amends secs. 112g, 112h, 112i, 112j & 112k of 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.112g et seq.).

Oppose: SB 0406 Probate; wills and estates; property in possession of person indebted to the decedent; allow state to collect under Medicaid estate recovery. Amends sec. 3983 of 1998 PA 386 (MCL 700.3983).

Support: SB 0539 Probate; guardians and conservators; appointment in this state of guardians and conservators appointed in other jurisdictions; allow. Amends secs. 5313 & 5433 of 1998 PA 386 (MCL 700.5313 & 700.5433) & adds secs. 5202a & 5301a.

State News
Debt Deal's Effect on Mich. 'Hard to Know'
(Detroit News, 8/1/11)

Abundance of Recall Attempts in the State Leave Officials Questioning if There Should Be Changes to the Law
(Mlive.com, 8/1/11)

Domestic Violence Court Making a Difference
(Lansing State Journal, 7/31/11)

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