In the Capitol
The next scheduled session for the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate is Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
View 2009 House Session Schedule
View 2009 Senate Session Schedule

Complete Committee Meeting List

New Public Acts

In the Hall of Justice
Judges Could be Barred from Participating in Plea Deal Discussions Under Proposal on Michigan Supreme Court's Public Administrative Conference Agenda

"Emergency Aid" Exception to Search Warrant Requirement at Issue in Case Michigan Supreme Court will hear April 7

At the Bar
Seminar for Attorneys Working With Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse on May 11 to Feature National Expert

Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Metro Times Journalists Lead State Bar's 2009 McCree Award Winners

The State Bar of Michigan’s Public Policy, Image, and Identity Committee and the Board of Commissioners will meet on Friday, April 17, 2009. For more information, please contact elyon@mail.michbar.org. 

Sections and Committees
The Negligence Law Section submitted public policy positions on the following items:
Support: HB 4316 (Brown) Torts; product liability; limitation on liability for drugs that have been approved by federal food and drug administration; rescind. Amends sec. 2946 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2946).

Support: HB 4317 (Kennedy) Civil procedure; statute of limitations; drug product liability cases previously prohibited because of FDA approval defense; allow to be commenced within 3 years after repeal of the defense. Amends sec. 5805 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5805).

Support: HB 4318 (Slavens) Consumer protection; unfair trade practices; liability for inaccurate representations concerning risks of certain drugs, medications, and supplements; clarify. Amends secs. 2 & 3 of 1976 PA 331 (MCL 445.902 & 445.903).

Support: HB 4329 (Melton) Insurance; no-fault; mini-tort recovery; increase cap. Amends sec. 3135 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3135).

Support: SB 0354 (Anderson) Insurance; no-fault; mini-tort recovery; increase cap. Amends sec. 3135 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3135).

Oppose: HB 4403 (Lindberg) Torts; liability; immunity for national ski patrol member; expand to include nonski emergencies. Amends sec. 7 of 1963 PA 17 (MCL 691.1507).

Support: HB 4426 (Gonzales) Insurance; no-fault; annual audit of Michigan catastrophic claims association; require. Amends sec. 3104 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3104).

Support: HB 4427 (Segal) Insurance; no-fault; Michigan catastrophic claims association; require to comply with freedom of information act and open meetings act and require annual audit. Amends secs. 134 & 3104 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.134 & 500.3104).

Support: HB 4429 (LeBlanc) Insurance; no-fault; membership on Michigan catastrophic claims association board; increase. Amends sec. 3104 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3104).

Support: HB 4471 (Scripps) Civil rights; open meetings; catastrophic claims association; make subject to open meetings act. Amends secs. 2 & 3 of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.262 & 15.263).

Support: SB 0160 (Anderson) Civil rights; open meetings; catastrophic claims association; make subject to open meetings act. Amends secs. 2 & 3 of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.262 & 15.263).

Support: SB 0161 (Anderson) Insurance; no-fault; catastrophic claims association; revise membership, require annual audit, make subject to open meetings act and freedom of information act, and provide for other general amendments. Amends secs. 134 & 3104 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.134 & 500.3104).

Support: HB 4680 (Meadows) Insurance; no-fault; serious impairment of body function; define. Amends sec. 3135 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3135).

Support: SB 0425 (Whitmer) Consumer protection; unfair trade practices; liability for inaccurate representations concerning risks of certain drugs, medications, and supplements; clarify. Amends secs. 2 & 3 of 1976 PA 331 (MCL 445.902 & 445.903).

Federal News
Delayed Court Appearances May Invalidate Confessions
(The Washington Post, 4/7/09)

Pinched Courts Push to Collect Fees and Fines
(New York Times, 4/6/09)

State News
Granholm: State Budget in Dire Shape
(Detroit News, 4/13/09)

Bill Seeks Prison for Those Lying to Panels
(Lansing State Journal, 4/13/09)

Links of Interest
Public Policy Resource Center | Michigan Supreme Court | Michigan Legislature | MCL Search Engines