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.

In the Hall of Justice

Proposed Amendment of Rule 3.802 of the Michigan Court Rules (ADM File No. 2018-36) –Manner and Method of Service (Michigan Bar Journal August 2019, p 70)

STATUS: Comment Period Expired 10/01/19; Public Hearing to be Scheduled
POSITON: Support.

Proposed Amendments of Rules 3.965, 3.971, 3.972, 3.973, and 3.993 of the Michigan Court Rules (ADM File No. 2015-21) – Preliminary Hearing; Pleas of Admission or No Contest; Trial; Dispositional Hearing; Appeals (Michigan Bar Journal August 2019, p 72)

STATUS: Comment Period Expired 10/01/19; Public Hearing to be Scheduled
POSITON: Support the rule changes as a necessary first step in responding to the In re Ferranti decision; recommend the following amendments:

The word, “under,” or some similar phrase, should be inserted prior to the MCL 712A.21, such that is would read: “...that at any time while the court retains jurisdiction over the minor, the respondent may challenge the continuing exercise of that jurisdiction by filing a motion for rehearing, under MCL 712A.21 or MCR 3.992, or by filing an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals.”
The Court should clarify whether litigants should follow the time deadline set forth in MCL 712A.21 or MCL 3.992.

Proposed Alternative Amendments of Rule 6.610 of the Michigan Court Rules (ADM File No. 2018-23) – Criminal Procedure Generally (Michigan Bar Journal July 2019, p 88)

STATUS: Comment Period Expired 10/01/19; Public Hearing to be Scheduled
POSITON: Support Alternative A and urge for funding to support these additional responsibilities.

Proposed Amendment of Rule 9.123 of the Michigan Court Rules (ADM File No. 2019-02) – Eligibility for Reinstatement (Michigan Bar Journal August 2019, p 71)

STATUS: Comment Period Expired 10/01/19; Public Hearing to be Scheduled
POSITON: Support the concept of the proposed rule amendment but note that further amendments are needed to address due process issues, including timelines, appropriate forum, and procedure.

Proposed Amendment of Rule 2 of the Rules Concerning the State Bar of Michigan (ADM File No. 2018-31) – Membership (Michigan Bar Journal July 2019, p 86)

STATUS: Comment Period Expired 10/01/19; Public Hearing to be Scheduled
POSITON: Support the proposed amendment to Rule 2 with one amendment that attorneys be required to submit only one primary email address that can be used for electronic service and SBM license notifications.

M Crim JI 3.33 – Verdict Form (Michigan Bar Journal August 2019, p 74)
POSITON: Support.

M Crim JI 7.17 – Use of Deadly Force in Defense of the Home (Michigan Bar Journal August 2019, p 74)
POSITON: Support.

M Crim JI 13.21, 13.22, 13.23, 13.24 and 13.25 – Bringing a Weapon into Jail; Furnishing a Weapon to a Prisoner; Possession of a Weapon by a Prisoner; Bringing Alcohol or a Controlled Substance into Jail; Possession of Alcohol or a Controlled Substance by a Prisoner (Michigan Bar Journal August 2019, p 75)
POSITON: Support.

M Crim JI 35.11 – Sale, Purchase, Installation, Transfer, or Possession of Automated Sales Suppression Device or Zapper, Phantom-Ware, or Skimming Device (Michigan Bar Journal August 2019, p 76)
POSITON: Support.

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:

the regulation and discipline of attorneys;
the improvement of the functioning of the courts;
the availability of legal services to society;
the regulation of attorney trust accounts; and
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

Michigan Legislature

Supreme Court Rules Concerning the State Bar of Michigan

Bylaws of the State Bar of Michigan

Internal Operating Procedure on Public Advocacy

Meeting Dates for the Board of Commissioners and Representative Assembly

Michigan Court Rules & Administrative Actions From the Michigan Supreme Court

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

Sections & Committees

Report a Public Policy Position

Public Policy Updates

View past issues