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April 27, 2026
Volume 24, Issue 17
In the Capitol
4/28 Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary & Public Safety, 3:00 p.m. MORE
Agenda:
HB 4517 (Neyer) Law enforcement: reports; communications under the amber alert act; modify.
HB 4518 (Rigas) Law enforcement: reports; Michigan Amber alert act; modify.
SB 891 (Cherry) Law enforcement: reports; communications under the Amber alert act; modify.
SB 892 (McCann) Law enforcement: reports; Michigan Amber alert act; modify.
SB 853 (Chang) Occupations: business licensing and registration; license to sell firearms at retail; provide for.
SB 854 (Camilleri) Occupations: business licensing and registration; license to sell firearms at retail; provide for.
4/29 House Judiciary, 10:30 a.m. MORE
Agenda:
HB 4408 (Wozniak) Probate: trusts; powers of appointment; revise.
HB 4523 (Wozniak) Probate: trusts; duties and powers of trustee; modify.
HB 5159 (Tisdel) Crimes: arson; definition of arson; modify.
HB 5510 (St. Germaine) Criminal procedure: sentencing; time period allowed for delayed sentencing; modify.
HB 5511 (Edwards) Criminal procedure: sentencing; delayed entry of judgment of conviction when sentencing is delayed; allow with exceptions.
HB 5211 (Johnsen) Family law: child custody; factors determining best interest of child; include equal time with both parents as a factor.
HB 5212 (Wilson) Family law: child custody; factors determining best interest of child in joint custody; include equal time with both parents as a factor.
HB 5213 (BeGole) Family law: child custody; information on the presumption of equal or approximately equal parenting time; require the friend of the court to provide.
Complete Committee Meeting List
Legislation Introduced Recently
Recently bills were introduced in the following areas of law:
In the Hall of Justice
RULE AMENDMENTS
ADM File No. 2020-08: Adoption of Administrative Order No. 2026-3
On order of the Court, the following courts are authorized to implement a pilot project to study the expanded use of electronic service using proposed Michigan Court Rule amendments:
- 56-B District Court and Barry County Probate Court (Barry County)
- 7th Circuit Court (Genesee County)
- 98th District Court (Gogebic County)
- 16th Circuit Court and Macomb County Probate Court (Macomb County)
- 19th District Court (Wayne County)
Issued: 4/22/26
Effective: Immediately
ADM File No. 2024-07: Amendment of SBR 6
The amendment of Rule 6 addresses the nomination and election of members of the Representative Assembly, including their eligibility for nomination and their terms and vacancies.
Issued: 4/22/26
Effective: 10/1/26
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
ADM File No. 2024-15: Proposed Addition of MCR 6.426 and Proposed Amendments of MCR 7.216 and 7.315
The proposed addition of MCR 6.426 and proposed amendments of MCR 7.216 and 7.315 would ensure that self-represented criminal defendants are advised of the right to counsel in remand proceedings from the appellate courts and would facilitate appointment of such counsel.
Issued: 4/22/26
Comment Period Expires: 8/1/26
APPOINTMENT
ADM File No. 2026-01: Assignment to the Court of Claims
Issued: 4/22/26
Effective: 5/9/26
At the Bar
The Board of Commissioners met on April 24, 2026 at which time the State Bar of Michigan adopted the following public policy positions:
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.
SBM Position: Support.
ADM File No. 2023-23 - Proposed Amendment of MCR 3.972
The proposed amendment of MCR 3.972 would require the court, in child protective proceeding bench trials, to make findings of fact and conclusions of law and allow for the equivalent of an involuntary dismissal.
SBM Position: Support with an additional amendment that the third sentence of MCR 3.972(E) be amended to read:
A party other than the respondent that filed the motion may request to present evidence to the court before it decides the motion, and the court must grant that request before deciding the motion.
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).
SBM Position: Support with a further amendment to the language proposed to be added to MCR 3.981 as follows:
The court must advise the respondent of their appellate rights under MCR 3.937 following the issuance of any order appealable by right., and in those cases, If a respondent requests the appointment of appellate counsel, the appointment of appellate counsel is controlled by MCR 3.993(D)(5).
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.
SBM Position: Support.
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.
SBM Position: Support.
HB 5445 (Wozniak) Courts: specialty courts; family division of the circuit court judgeships; modify. Amends secs. 1003, 1011, 1021 & 1023 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1003 et seq.) & adds secs. 1002 & 1012.
SBM Position: Oppose.
SB 0885 (Singh) Criminal procedure: indigent defense; parent and child legal representation commission; create. Creates new act.
SBM Position: Support.
NEWS
How Michigan’s Legal Community is Celebrating Law Day 2026
In recognition of the importance of Rule of Law, Michigan attorneys and the public are invited to attend multiple Law Day events throughout the state.
Printed Attorney Directory Now Available
For those who prefer the convenience of a printed book, the State Bar of Michigan’s 2026 Directory of Michigan Attorneys is a must-have for your office.
Why You Should Attend the Great Lakes Legal Conference
Past attendees say the Great Lakes Legal Conference, held annually at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, delivers outstanding education and meaningful connections.
Links of Interest
SBM Public Policy Resource Center
Public Acts
Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Legislature
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