The bill amends the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, specifically section 8031, to clarify the definitions and scope of business or commercial disputes that can be addressed in Michigan's business court. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "business court," "business enterprise," and "business or commercial dispute," expanding the types of actions that fall under these categories. Notably, the bill specifies that business or commercial disputes include actions involving the sale, merger, or governance of business enterprises, as well as disputes related to information technology and commercial transactions. Additionally, it includes a new provision that allows actions arising under specific sections of the business corporation act and the limited liability company act to be considered business disputes, regardless of whether the business is a named party.

The bill also outlines exclusions from the definition of business or commercial disputes, which include personal injury actions, product liability claims involving individuals, family court matters, and various other legal proceedings. A significant deletion in the bill is the removal of the term "proceedings" in relation to enforcing judgments, replaced with a specification that only business court proceedings are included. The enactment of this amendatory act will take effect 90 days after it is signed into law.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 600.8031