2013 Senate Bill 652 / Public Act 164

Establish state Appeals Court as venue for suits against the state

Introduced in the Senate

Oct. 24, 2013

Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R-24)

To establish that the venue for all legal claims against state agencies, commissions, boards, etc., which is the state “court of claims”, will no longer be the Ingham County circuit court, and instead will be the state Court of Appeals (which consists of 24 judges elected in four regional elections). Specifically, the state Supreme Court would assign four Court of Appeals judges to be the new Court of Claims, who would have to come from at least two of the four COA regions.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Oct. 30, 2013

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 26 to 11 (details)

Received in the House

Oct. 31, 2013

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Nov. 5, 2013

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Amendment offered by Rep. Sam Singh (D-69)

To make the proposed change prospective only, so that it only applies to future cases.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Rudy Hobbs (D-35)

To prohibit appropriating any extra money to the state Attorney General office to cover costs the proposed change might generate.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Rudy Hobbs (D-35)

To narrow the expanded scope of cases the proposal would authorize the court of claims to hear.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Ellen Lipton (D-27)

To establish that if passed the bill will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom Cochran (D-67)

To require the (revised) Court of Claims to submit periodic reports to the legislature on the cost of implementing the proposed change.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-53)

To require the Supreme Court to randomly select the four Court of Appeals judges who will serve as the Court of Claims.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-53)

To make the proposed change prospective only, so that it only applies to future cases, not pending cases.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-53)

To make explicit that the court of claims does not have jurisdiction over claims against the state related to an employee who is acting outside the scope of his or her government duties.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Andy Schor (D-68)

To require that extra money be appropriated for five years to Ingham County to cover any costs related to its circuit court no longer acting as the court of claims for the entire state.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Greimel (D-29)

To slightly reduce the jurisdiction of the court of claims, and repeal its authority to grant a new trial for a case.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Greimel (D-29)

To require the Appeals Court judges assigned to the court of claims to run for reelection in 2014, and revise other details.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-53)

To remove a proposed limitation on the court of claims retrying cases decided by juries.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Phil Cavanagh (D-10)

To make the bill's implementation contingent on the state Supreme Court issuing an advisory opinion on its constitutionality.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R-41)

To establish that if passed the bill will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Nov. 6, 2013

Passed in the House 57 to 52 (details)

To establish that the venue for all legal claims against state agencies, commissions, boards, etc., which is the state “court of claims”, will no longer be the Ingham County circuit court, and instead will be the state Court of Appeals (which consists of 24 judges elected in four regional elections). Specifically, the state Supreme Court would assign four Court of Appeals judges to be the new Court of Claims, who would have to come from at least two of the four COA regions.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Nov. 12, 2013