Five Stories that Matter in Michigan This Week – June 17, 2022; Legal, Legislative, and Regulatory Insights
- Court of Appeals Considers Arguments in Significant No-Fault Case
An important case involving Michigan’s auto no-fault law is before the Michigan Court of Appeals. The dispute in the case of Andary, et al v. USAA Casualty Insurance Company, et al is focused on whether the no-fault reforms passed in 2019 apply retroactively for people injured before the law was passed. The plaintiffs in the case argue that retroactive application is unconstitutional.
Why it Matters: The circuit court in this case sided with insurers. To the extent that the appellate court reverses in favor of plaintiffs, it could create considerable uncertainty in the no-fault insurance marketplace in Michigan.
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- Michigan Supreme Court Blocks Republican Candidates for Governor from Ballot
The Michigan Supreme Court recently denied requests by three Republican candidates for governor to be placed on the primary ballot, after state election officials ruled that their campaigns had submitted forged signatures. Fraser Trebilcock election law attorney Garett Koger was quoted by The New York Times in an article discussing the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision.
Why it Matters: The Republican primary for governor has been chaotic, to say the least. Five of ten candidates have now been removed from the primary ballot. Candidate Ryan Kelley was arrested by federal agents this week and charged with four misdemeanors related to his alleged attendance at last year’s U.S. Capitol riot. And former Detroit police chief James Craig announced that he is mounting a write in campaign for the August 2 primary. These different scenarios all highlight the need for experienced election law counsel.
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- IRS Does Rare Mid-Year Adjustment to Mileage Rates
The Internal Revenue Service recently announced that it has increased the 2022 mileage rates for the last six months of the year in response to high gasoline prices, including rates for business travel, deductible medical or moving expenses, and deduction for charitable contributions. Learn more about the new mileage rates here.
Why it Matters: Midyear increases in mileage rates are rare. Accordingly, self-employed individuals who operate an automobile for business use, as well as employers who reimburse employees who use their own vehicles to conduct business, should take note of the changes.
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- New Education and Information Requirements for Michigan Schools
New legislation was recently enacted requiring schools to provide informational materials on post-secondary education options. The Michigan Department of Education must create informational packets, including information about Advanced Placement programs, all public universities and community colleges in the state, and student loans and tuition assistance, that will be distributed to all students in 8th to 12th grades each year. In addition, by overwhelming margins, the Michigan House and Senate recently passed legislation that would mandate personal finance education at the high school level.
Why it Matters: To remain economically competitive, it is important that Michigan continues to focus on having a well-educated workforce in order to attract and retain employers.
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- City of Detroit Faces Lawsuits Over Adult-Use Recreational Licenses
JARS Cannabis and House of Dank, two companies that own medical marijuana dispensaries licensed in Detroit, are suing the City of Detroit over the revised ordinance claiming that the new law would signal the end for existing medical marijuana facilities already in the area. The two companies pointed to a provision in the revised ordinance that prevents existing medical facilities in the area from getting a recreational license until 2027.
Why it Matters: State law mandates that municipalities cannot adopt “unreasonably impracticable” adult-use cannabis ordinances. As the City of Detroit faces multiple lawsuits over their revised ordinance, other municipalities may face the same issue.
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