Michigan Senate Bill SB0147

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/13/25
• Refer: 3/13/25
• Report Pass: 4/17/25
• Report Pass: 4/22/25
• Refer: 4/17/25
• Refer: 4/22/25
• Report Pass: 4/23/25
• Engrossed: 4/29/25
• Refer: 4/29/25

Caption

Civil procedure: costs and fees; fee for publication of legal notice; remove sunset for inflation adjustment. Amends sec. 2534 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2534).

Impact

The amendment establishes clear financial guidelines for legal publishing, which directly affects courts, legal practitioners, and media outlets. By tying publication costs to the CPI, the bill seeks to ensure that fees remain relevant and fair, thereby reducing financial burdens on those requiring legal notices. The law aims to enable better transparency and consistency in how legal notices are published across the state, while also safeguarding the interests of the newspapers involved in this process. If enacted, the changes would enhance fiscal predictability for all stakeholders in the legal publishing arena.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 147 proposes amendments to section 2534 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, focusing on regulating the costs associated with the publication of legal notices in newspapers. The bill sets standards on the maximum allowable fees for publishing various legal documents, including notices, orders, and summonses, ensuring that certain minimum amounts are applicable based on the frequency of publication. Specifically, the bill retains existing cost caps while introducing an annual inflation adjustment mechanism to account for changes in the United States consumer price index (CPI). This aims to prevent the diminished value of publication fees over time due to inflation.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 147 appears largely supportive, especially among legal professionals and entities engaged in publishing legal notices. Many express approval for a structured approach that adjusts costs in accordance with inflation, highlighting the importance of maintaining current, fair pricing in light of economic changes. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the potential for increasing costs to put further financial pressure on individuals and entities required to publish legal notices, particularly smaller firms or non-profit organizations.

Contention

Notable points of contention include discussions about the appropriateness of linking publication fees directly to the CPI and whether this could inadvertently lead to increased costs for legal notice publication. While proponents argue that this creates fairness and reflects economic realities, there are apprehensions that it might disadvantage those who frequently utilize legal notices for compliance. The debate continues regarding how best to balance the interests of newspapers as business entities with the need for accessible and affordable legal processes.