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.

July 22, 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, July 21, 2026.

A. Court Rule Amendments

1. ADM File No. 2026-10: Addition of MCR 2.114 and Amendment of MCR 7.209
The addition of MCR 2.114 provides a process for special motions under the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (MCL 691.1853 et seq.), and the amendment of MCR 7.209 clarifies the availability and applicability of the stay during an appeal as contemplated by this new Act.

2. 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.

3. ADM File No. 2024-34: Proposed Amendment of MCR 7.316
The proposed amendment of MCR 7.316 would allow the Court to accept late applications for leave to appeal or cross-appeal in limited circumstances.

4. ADM File No. 2025-30: Proposed Adoption of Administrative Order No. 2026-X
This proposed administrative order would approve a pilot project to study the effectiveness of an informal domestic relations docket.

B. Legislation

1. HB 6028 (McFall) Courts: veteran's court; veterans treatment court; modify. Amends secs. 1200, 1201, 1203, 1205, 1206 & 1209 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1200 et seq.).

2. HB 6081 (Kuhn) Criminal procedure: preliminary examination; certain rules and procedures for conducting a preliminary examination; revise. Amends sec. 11b, ch. VI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 766.11b) & adds sec. 11c to ch. VI.

3. HB 6092 (Hope) Criminal procedure: DNA; postconviction DNA testing; modify. Amends sec. 16, ch. X of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 770.16).

4. HB 6110 (MacDonell) Civil procedure: civil actions; violation of constitutionally or legally provided civil rights; provide a cause of action for. Creates new act.

5. Trial Court Funding

SB 1089 (Chang) Courts: funding; trial court funding; provide for. Amends secs. 880d, 8727 & 8827 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.880d et seq.); adds secs. 1495, 1496 & 1497 & repeals secs. 8729 & 8829 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.8729 & 600.8829).

SB 1090 (Damoose) Courts: funding; trial court funding; provide for. Amends sec. 13, ch. II, secs. 1k & 5, ch. IX & secs. 1, 3, 3c & 3e, ch. XI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 762.13 et seq.).

SB 1091 (Cavanagh) Courts: funding; trial court funding; provide for. Amends sec. 907 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.907) & repeals sec. 908 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.908).

C. Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Proposals

1. Request to Change the Mediator Standards of Conduct regarding disclosure and to amend the Court Rules regarding disqualification.

2. Request to change captions on divorce forms.

3. Request to amend Form MC 274 - Order for Mediation.

4. Request to revise Mediation Training Standards.

5. Proposal to Revise Domestic Violence Screening Protocol and Standards of Conduct for Mediators related to consideration of mental health.

D. Model Criminal Jury Instructions

1. Model Criminal Jury Instructions 25.10, 40.14
The Committee proposes two new jury instructions addressing crimes within the Prohibited Conduct at Institutions of Higher Education Act, MCL 752.581 et seq. The first, M Crim JI 25.10 (Failure to Depart from the Property of a Public Institution of Higher Education After Violating Rules), covers the offense set forth in MCL 752.581. The second, M Crim JI 40.14 (Entering on the Property of a Public Institution of Higher Education to Disrupt or to Damage Persons or Property), covers the offense set forth in MCL 752.582. These instructions are entirely new.

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

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