|
June 16, 2025
Volume 23, Issue 23
In the Capitol
Legislative Action Last Week:
Summary of legislative action on all bills that the State Bar or sections of the State Bar have taken positions.
HB 4396 (Juvenile Diversion Act, Certain Information Sharing For Research Purposes In Juvenile Justice Cases) was reported out of the House Committee on Judiciary without amendment on June 11th.
SBM Position on HB 4396: Support.
SB 19 (Income Tax Act Of 1967, Definition Of Dependent) was reported out of the Senate Committee on Housing & Human Services as Substitute S-1 on June 11th.
Real Property Law Section Position on SB 19: Oppose.
SB 106 (Michigan Vehicle Code, Fund-Raising Registration Plate For Spay And Neuter Clinics) was reported out of the Senate Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure without amendment on June 12th.
Animal Law Section Position on SB 106: Support.
SB 157 (A Bill To Regulate Pet Cemeteries) passed the Senate 19 to 18 on June 10th.
Animal Law Section Position on SB 157: Support.
SB 223 (An Act To License And Regulate Dealers That Deliver, Transport, Board, Buy, Or Sell Dogs Or Cats For Laboratory Research Purposes, Compliance Report Content Requirements) was reported out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Agriculture without amendment on June 12th.
Animal Law Section Position on SB 223: Support.
Legislation Introduced 6/10–6/12
Last week bills were introduced in the following areas of law:
At the Bar
The Board of Commissioners met on June 13, 2025 at which time the State Bar of Michigan adopted the following public policy positions:
ADM File No. 2023-35: Proposed Amendments of MCJC 3 and MRPC 6.5
The proposed amendments of MCJC 3 and MRPC 6.5 would incorporate the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 2, Rule 2.3 into Michigan’s code and rule to prohibit bias, prejudice, and harassment.
SBM Position: Support with further amendments retaining the existing “courtesy and respect” language in both Canon 3 and Rule 6.5 and adding a reference to the Professionalism Principles to the comment on Rule 6.5.
ADM File No. 2019-40: Proposed Adoption of AO 2025-X, Proposed Rescission of AO 2012-7, and Proposed Amendment of MCR 2.407
The proposed administrative order would clarify when, from where, and how a judicial officer may participate remotely, subject to their chief judge’s approval. If adopted, a related amendment of MCR 2.407 would strike a reference to AO 2012-7 being suspended and that administrative order would be rescinded.
SBM Position: Support ADM File No. 2019-40 in concept with amendments recommending that: (1) remote participation by judicial officers be limited to scheduling and administrative matters, or extraordinary circumstances; (2) that consideration be given to the concerns raised by visiting judges; (3) that attorneys and parties not be required to appear in person if the judicial officer is participating remotely; and (4) that the requirement of a black robe be removed for referees.
ADM File No. 2025-03: Proposed Amendment of MCR 1.111
The proposed amendment of MCR 1.111 would prohibit reimbursement for interpreter services in criminal cases, update the definitions for “interpret,” “certified foreign language interpreter,” and “qualified foreign language interpreter,” and add a new definition for a “registered interpreter firm.”
SBM Position: Support ADM File No. 2025-03 with an additional amendment of (A)(4) to state that “ . . . a person who meets all of the following criteria or in the first year after the court rule is passed, is making substantial progress to meet all the following criteria.”
ADM File No. 2025-04: Proposed Amendment of MCR 3.613
The proposed amendment of MCR 3.613 would realign the rule with recent amendments of MCL 711.1 and MCL 711.3 regarding name change proceedings.
SBM Position: Support.
ADM File No. 2023-10: Proposed Amendment of MCR 6.008
The proposed amendment of MCR 6.008 would incorporate the People v Cramer, 511 Mich 896 (2023) holding by clarifying that circuit courts can remand misdemeanor charges to the district court following the dismissal of all felony charges that were bound over.
SBM Position: Support.
ADM File No. 2023-38: Proposed Amendments of Subchapters MCR 9.100 and MCR 9.200 and MRPC 1.12 and MRPC 3.5
The proposed amendments would replace the term “master” or “special master” with “neutral arbiter” or add the term “neutral arbiter” to a definition.
SBM Position: Support.
HB 4434 (Meerman) Courts: juries; one-person grand jury provisions; repeal. Repeals secs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a & 6b, ch. VII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 767.3 et seq.).
SBM Position: Support.
(Position adopted via roll-call vote. Commissioners voting in support: Anderson, Bryant, Burrell, Christenson, Cripps-Serra, Crowley, Detzler, Easterly, Eccleston, Evans, Hamameh, Howlett, Kitchen-Troop, Larsen, Liggins, Low, Lowe, Luckenbach, Mansoor, Mantese, Mason, Murray, Nyamfukudza, Ohanesian, Perkins, Shapiro, Simmons. Commissioners voting in opposition: Clark, Clay, Holloman, Lerner, McGill, Reiser, Walton.)
NEWS
June On Balance Podcast welcomes author Judy Selby
In this month's podcast, Judy Selby shares her insights on creating meaningful relationships with clients while growing a brand that reflects your personal values.
New Virtual Support Group for Attorneys to Start in July
The SBM’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program is offering a free virtual support group for attorneys to help each other work through stress and more.
State Bar of Michigan releases comprehensive report on AI and the legal profession
The State Bar of Michigan today released a comprehensive special report assessing potential risks and benefits of the use of artificial intelligence on the legal profession.
Advertise today in SBM’s 2025 Member-to-Member Referral Guide
The State Bar of Michigan will publish the 2025 Member-to-Member Referral Guide as a special advertising section in the Michigan Bar Journal.
Links of Interest
SBM Public Policy Resource Center
Public Acts
Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Legislature
MCL Search Engines
|