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March 9, 2026
Volume 24, Issue 10
In the Capitol
3/11 House Judiciary, 10:30 a.m. MORE
Agenda:
HB 5281 (Harris) Financial institutions: other; third-party litigation funding transparency; provide for.
HB 5515 (Hoadley) Weapons: other; definition of dangerous weapon; provide for.
HB 5388 (Slagh) Weapons: other; definition of self-defense spray; expand to allow to be dispensed through a cartridge or projectile.
HB 5465 (Bruck) Crimes: trespassing; prohibition against entering a key facility; expand.
3/12 House Appropriations Corrections & Judiciary, 10:30 a.m. MORE
Agenda:
Discussion on the Judiciary Budget.
3/12 Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary & Public Safety, 12:00 p.m. MORE
Agenda:
SB 626 (Hertel) Children: protection; modifications to the central registry; provide for.
Complete Committee Meeting List
Legislation Introduced Recently
Recently bills were introduced in the following areas of law:
In the Hall of Justice
NEWS
The Michigan Supreme Court will hold a public administrative hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. View the public hearing notice.
PROPOSED RULE AMENDMENTS
ADM File No. 2024-32 - Proposed Amendment of MCR 2.410
The proposed amendment of MCR 2.410 would explicitly allow ADR proceedings to be conducted by videoconferencing technology if such participation is appropriate under MCR 2.407.
Issued: 03/04/26
Comment Period Expires: 07/01/26
ADM File No. 2024-04 - Proposed Amendment of MCR 3.981
The proposed amendment of MCR 3.981 would require the court to advise minor PPO respondents of their right to appeal following the issuance of an order that is appealable by right and would clarify that appointment of appellate counsel in these cases is controlled by MCR 3.993(D)(5).
Issued: 03/04/26
Comment Period Expires: 07/01/26
ADM File No. 2025-09 - Proposed Amendment of MCR 6.610
The proposed amendment of MCR 6.610 would clarify that defense counsel must be allowed a reasonable opportunity to attend, as part of a court-ordered presentence investigation, any presentence interview of their client.
Issued: 03/04/26
Comment Period Expires: 07/01/26
ADM File No. 2025-23 - Proposed Amendment of MCR 7.210
The proposed amendment of MCR 7.210 would explicitly exempt full transcripts for appeals from certain domestic relations actions.
Issued: 03/04/26
Comment Period Expires: 07/01/26
APPOINTMENTS
ADM File No. 2026-01: Appointment of Chief Judges Pro Tempore (Huron County and Alger/Luce/Mackinac/Schoolcraft Counties)
Issued: 3/4/26
Effective: Immediately
ADM File No. 2026-01: Appointments to the Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review
Issued: 3/4/26
Effective: 4/1/26
ADM File No. 2026-01: Appointments to the Commission on Well-Being in the Law
Issued: 3/4/26
Effective: Immediately
ADM File No. 2026-01: Appointment to the Justice For All Commission
Issued: 3/4/26
Effective: Immediately
At the Bar
The Board of Commissioners met on March 6, 2026 at which time the State Bar of Michigan adopted the following public policy positions:
ADM File No. 2019-40 - Proposed Adoption of Administrative Order No. 2026-X, Proposed Rescission of Administrative Order No. 2012-7, and Proposed Amendments of MCR 2.407 and 8.110
Proposed Administrative Order No. 2026-X would clarify when, from where, and how a judicial officer may participate remotely. A related proposed amendment of MCR 2.407 would strike a reference to Administrative Order No. 2012-7 being suspended, and that administrative order would be rescinded. The proposed amendment of MCR 8.110 would authorize chief judges to require a judge’s in-person or remote presence to perform work.
SBM Position: Support ADM File No. 2019-40 in principle and underscore SBM’s previous position that attorneys and parties should not be required to appear in person if the judicial officer is participating remotely in a proceeding.
ADM File No. 2024-08 - Proposed Amendment of MCJC Canon 3
The proposed amendment of Canon 3 would clarify a judge’s responsibility to not knowingly allow unauthorized broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking of photographs in or out of the courtroom during sessions of court or recesses between sessions.
SBM Position: Support.
Executive Budget for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission for the 2027-2028 Fiscal Year (pages B-49 through B-52)
Executive Budget for the Department of the Judiciary for the 2027-2028 Fiscal Year (pages B-37 through B-39)
SBM Position: Support.
Amendment to Michigan Department of Corrections Policy Directive PD 05.03.118(QQ)(8)
SBM Position: Oppose the amendment to PD 05.03.118(QQ)(8) prohibiting incarcerated individuals from receiving hard cover books.
NEWS
Judicial Vacancy – 55th District Court, Ingham County
Applications must be submitted electronically and received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Institute of Continuing Legal Education Executive Committee and Michigan Indian Legal Services Board of Trustees announce vacancies
The State Bar Board of Commissioners is seeking applications for three upcoming appointments. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 26, 2026.
Deadline to fill out Economics of Law survey extended
The deadline to fill out the 2026 Economics of Law survey has been extended to Wednesday, March 11.
SBM issues ethics opinion on reverse contingent fee agreements
The State Bar of Michigan’s Standing Committee on Professional Ethics recently issued a new ethics opinion regarding reverse contingent fee arrangements.
State Bar of Michigan to celebrate attorneys with 50 years of service
The State Bar of Michigan will host its annual 50-Year Golden Celebration luncheon to honor our colleagues who have been members of the State Bar for 50 years.
State Bar of Michigan to host annual Brunch for Bars this spring
The State Bar of Michigan will host its annual Brunch for Bars at Fort Pontchartrain Hotel in Detroit at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Links of Interest
SBM Public Policy Resource Center
Public Acts
Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Legislature
MCL Search Engines
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