Public Policy Resource Center

The Public Policy Resource Center is a member resource and tool designed to provide comprehensive, up-to-date public policy information of interest to the legal profession. The site provides a search function that permits you to view all legislation organized by specialty area as it is introduced, identify the appropriate official to contact to communicate your views, and keep track of the public policy initiatives of the State Bar and its entities.

September 19, 2024
Board of Commissioners
Public Policy Items To Be Considered

Members who wish to share comments on any of the items below may do so by filling out a Public Policy Comment form or emailing ntriplett@michbar.org before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

 

  1. Court Rule Amendments

1. ADM File No. 2023-26: Proposed Amendments of MCJC 4 and 6
The proposed amendments of Canon 4E and Canon 6 of the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct would expand the requirements of annual financial disclosure statements by judicial officers.

2. Michigan State Bar Foundation Proposed Amendment of MCR 2.606

 

  1. Legislation

1. Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) Legislative Proposal From Animal Law Section

 

  1. Model Criminal Jury Instructions

1. M Crim JI 17.26
The Committee proposes a new jury instructions, M Crim JI 17.26 (Unlawfully Posting a Message), for offenses charged under MCL 750.411s.  The instruction is entirely new.

2. M Crim JI 33.3 and 33.3a
The Committee proposes two new instructions, M Crim JI 33.3 (Assaulting or Harassing a Service Animal) and 33.3a (Interfering with a Service Animal Performing Its Duties), for the offenses found at MCL 750.50a.  The instructions are entirely new.

3. M Crim JI 35.1a
The Committee proposes amendments to M Crim JI 35.1a, formerly identified as (Malicious Use of Telecommunications Service), for the offense found at MCL 750.540e.  The amendments (1) refine the title and first paragraph of the instruction to include the possible intents required under the statute, (2) add language addressing the “malicious” wording in the statute that had not been included when the instruction was originally adopted, and (3) reformat the second element to make it more user friendly than the single-paragraph original format. Deletions are in strike-through, and new language is underlined. A “clean copy” without the struck language but including the added language is also provided.

4. M Crim JI 42.1
The Committee proposes a new instruction, M Crim JI 42.1 (Misconduct in Office) for the common law crime of misfeasance or malfeasance in office, punishable under MCL 750.505. The instruction is entirely new.

Public Policy & the State Bar

Because the State Bar of Michigan is a mandatory bar association, the Bar can only advocate public policy positions that are reasonably related to:

  1. the regulation and discipline of attorneys;

  2. the improvement of the functioning of the courts;

  3. the availability of legal services to society;

  4. the regulation of attorney trust accounts; and

  5. the regulation of the legal profession, including the education, the ethics, the competency, and the integrity of the profession.

Sections of the State Bar that are funded by voluntary dues are not subject to these restrictions, and may engage in ideological activities on their own behalf provided that they follow the policies and procedures in Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2004-01 and in Article VIII of the Bylaws of the State Bar of Michigan.

Administrative Order 2004-01 limits and describes the issues on which the State Bar may take public policy positions, and the process for section and member involvement.

Article VIII of the Bylaws of the State Bar of Michigan governs public policy advocacy by sections and committees of the State Bar.

Member Comments

Submit comments on pending public policy issues.
Members are encouraged to submit comments on pending public policy issues, including proposed court rules and legislation that is eligible to be considered by the Board of Commissioners for action. All comments received from members will be shared with the Board of Commissioners and/or Representative Assembly when they consider that public policy item.

View Member Comments on pending legislation

Submit an Amicus Request

SBM Positions

Links of Interest

Searchable Positions Database

The searchable database includes all positions taken by the State Bar and positions reported to the State Bar by its sections and committees. Users are able to search the database by legislative session, bill number, bill sponsor, State Bar positions, section positions, committee positions, or practice area.

Legislation Recently Signed into Public Acts

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