Chair Talk

November 2013

SB 652

This bill would transfer the Court of Claims from the 30th Judicial Circuit (Ingham Count Circuit Court) to the state Court of Appeals.

Under Senate Bill 652 the Court of Claims would then consist of four appeals court judges from at least two Court of Appeals districts assigned by the Michigan Supreme Court. All matters pending in the Court of Claims as of the bills effective date would be transferred to the clerk of the Court of Appeals, acting as the clerk of the Court of Claims, for assignment to a Court of Appeals judge sitting as a Court of Claims judge. The Supreme Court shall have the power to make special rules for the Court of Claims.

Timeline for SB 652

10/24/13

Introduced by Senator Rick Jones
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

10/30/13

Reported favorably with substitute out of Judiciary Committee (Party line vote)
Committee recommended immediate effect
Referred to whole Senate for vote
Rules suspended
Placed on immediate effect
Roll call: 26 yeas 11 nays (party line)
Referred to House

10/31/13

Referred to Committee on Government Operations

11/5/13

12 p.m. Committee hearing with lots of testimony mainly opposing the bill
Reported out of Government Operations Committee (party line vote)

11/6/13

Passed; given immediate effect
Roll call: 57 yeas 52 nays

Will probably be signed by Governor Snyder by the end of the week!

DEMOCRACY IN ACTION??

This new law would effectively circumvent the Okrie vs State of Michigan lawsuit!!

Editor’s note: Bob Kopasz is Chair of the Michigan SERA Council. He may be reached at P.O. Box 692, Mt. Morris, MI 48458; phone 810/240-8380.