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.

January 23, 2026
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, January 20, 2026.

A. Court Rule Amendments
1. ADM File No. 2025-03: Proposed Amendment of MCR 1.111
The proposed amendment of MCR 1.111 would expand free foreign language interpretation services to civil cases as suggested by several commenters on the Court’s initial proposal in this ADM file, which was adopted by the Court with some revisions. The initial proposal only contemplated free interpretation services in criminal cases. The Court is now interested in receiving additional comments regarding its proposal to expand free interpretation services to civil cases. Please note that subrule (F)(5), which would be struck under this proposal, reflects the version of subrule (F)(5) adopted by the Court in its initial proposal that becomes effective on January 1, 2026.

2. ADM File No. 2022-31: Proposed Amendment of MCR 2.106
The proposed amendment of MCR 2.106 would update the definition of “newspaper” for notice by publication. See MCL 691.1051.

3. ADM File No. 2022-34: Proposed Amendment of MCR 3.992
The proposed amendment of MCR 3.992 would require courts to consider a motion for postjudgment relief when the underlying order was entered following a referee’s recommendation and before the time for filing for judicial review under MCR 3.991 has elapsed. See MCR 3.991(A)(3).

4. ADM File No. 2023-09: Proposed Amendment of MCR 6.106
The proposed amendment of MCR 6.106 would align the rule with MCL 780.66(6), which addresses the return of deposited percent bonds.

5. ADM File No. 2024-10: Proposed Amendment of MCR 6.429
The proposed amendment of MCR 6.429 would reorganize and update the rule to clarify that a court must afford parties an opportunity to object to its sua sponte correction of a Judgment of Sentence and that the parties must raise any objections when that opportunity is provided.

6. ADM File No. 2024-02: Proposed Amendment of MCR 7.215
The proposed amendment of MCR 7.215 would clarify that in cases where the Court of Appeals remands a case to the trial court, the Court of Appeals will review the decisions made on remand, and in criminal and termination of parental rights cases, the parties are afforded the right to supplemental briefing.

7. ADM File No. 2024-30/2024-39: Proposed Amendment of MCR 7.306
The proposed amendment of MCR 7.306 would clarify some previously-adopted amendments and would allow new original actions relating to recounts or proposed recounts of the ballots cast in a presidential election to be filed in this Court as a means of reducing any judicial-related barriers that may interfere with the outcome of such a recount or proposed recount.

8. ADM File No. 2025-37: Proposed Amendment of MCR 7.312
The proposed amendment of MCR 7.312 would establish rule-based briefing deadlines in leave granted and MOAA cases where it appears necessary to appoint counsel for the indigent defendant.

9. ADM File No. 2022-49 - Proposed Amendments of MCR 8.120 and BLE Rule 5
The proposed amendment of MCR 8.120 would allow law students and recent law graduates to: (1) staff certain legal programs that provide assistance to indigent persons in civil matters under the supervision by a member of the state bar, and (2) appear on behalf of indigent persons in all Michigan courts. The proposal would also expand the definition of a “recent law graduate” from one year to 15 months. The proposed amendment of BLE Rule 5 would expand the qualifications for a special certificate of qualification to practice law.

10. ADM File No. 2024-19 - Proposed Amendments of MCR 9.108 and 9.110
The proposed amendments of MCR 9.108 and 9.110 would address mid-term member vacancies and would eliminate the 2-full term officer limit for the Attorney Grievance Commission and the Attorney Discipline Board.

B. Legal Services Corporation Non-Fee Generating Cases Letter

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

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