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.

June 14, 2024
Board of Commissioners
Public Policy Items To Be Considered

 

Members who wish to share comments on any of the items below may do so by filling out a Public Policy Comment form or emailing ntriplett@michbar.org before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

A.  Court Rule Amendments

1. ADM File No. 2024-05: Proposed Amendment of MCR 7.306

The proposed amendment of MCR 7.306 would establish a procedure for two new original actions in the Supreme Court related to presidential elections in conformity with MCL 168.46 (as amended by 2023 PA 269) and MCL 168.845a (as adopted by 2023 PA 255).

2. ADM File No. 2022-10: Proposed Alternative Amendments of MCR 8.126

The proposed alternative amendments of MCR 8.126 would clarify and streamline the process for pro hac vice admission to practice in Michigan courts. A summary of the differences between the two alternatives is provided in the staff comment.

B. Legislation

1. HB 4427 (Young) Civil rights: public records; limited access to public records; provide for incarcerated individuals. Amends secs. 1, 2, 3 & 5 of 1976 PA 442 (MCL 15.231 et seq.).

2. Jury Legislation

HB 5689 (O’Neal) Courts: juries; local jury boards; eliminate, and create a centralized jury process. Amends secs. 857, 1301a, 1304a, 1307a, 1326, 1332, 1334, 1343, 1344, 1345, 1346, 1371 & 1372 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.857 et seq.); adds secs. 1306 & 1307 & repeals secs. 1301, 1301b, 1302, 1303, 1303a, 1304, 1305, 1308, 1309, 1310, 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1319, 1320, 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324, 1327, 1328, 1330, 1331, 1338, 1339, 1341, 1342, 1353, 1375 & 1376 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1301 et seq.) & repeals 1929 PA 288 (MCL 730.251 - 730.271) & repeals 1951 PA 179 (MCL 730.401 - 730.419).

HB 5690 (Hope) Courts: juries; reference in the uniform condemnation procedures act; amend to reflect repeal. Amends sec. 12 of 1980 PA 87 (MCL 213.62).

HB 5691 (Tsernoglou) Courts: juries; prospective jurors with certain criminal records and protected statuses; amend eligibility for service and peremptory challenges. Amends sec. 1307a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1307a) & adds secs. 1307b & 1356.

HB 5692 (Wilson) Appropriations: supplemental; funding for jury selection program; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

HB 5693 (Young) Courts: juries; reference in the probate code; amend to reflect repeal. Amends sec. 17, ch. XIIA of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 712A.17).

3. SB 723 (Santana) Criminal procedure: mental capacity; evaluation of competency to waive Miranda rights; require. Amends 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1101 - 330.2106) by adding secs. 1080, 1081, 1082 & 1083.

4. SB 813 (Cherry) Criminal procedure: evidence; consideration of videorecorded statements in certain proceedings; allow. Amends sec. 2163a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2163a).

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:

  1. the regulation and discipline of attorneys;

  2. the improvement of the functioning of the courts;

  3. the availability of legal services to society;

  4. the regulation of attorney trust accounts; and

  5. 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

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.

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