Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault v. Michigan Catastrophic Claims Ass'n

498 Mich. 896

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: October 16, 2016
• Docket: No. 150001
• Status: Published

Opinion

reported below: 305 Mich App 301. On October 13, 2015, the Court heard oral argument on the application for leave to appeal the May 20, 2014 judgment of the Court of Appeals. The application is again considered and, pursuant to MCR 7.305(H)(1), in lieu of granting leave to appeal, we vacate that part of the Court of Appeals opinion holding that MCL 500.134(4) does not violate art 4, § 25 of the Michigan Constitution. In its opinion, the Court of Appeals assumed without deciding that the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) is a “public body.” We remand this case for reconsideration of this issue. On remand, the Court of Appeals is directed to decide the issue whether the MCCA is a “public body” subject to the Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq., under MCL 15.232(d). Compare MCL 15.232(d)(io) (a “public body” includes “[a]ny other body which is created by state or local authority”) and League Gen Ins Co v Michigan Catastrophic Claims Ass’n, 435 Mich 338, 351 (1990) (holding that the MCCA is not a “state agency” but a “private association”); see also 1988 PA 349, § 2 (providing “legislative intent” pertaining to the status of the MCCA). The Court of Appeals shall then reconsider whether MCL 500.134(4) violates art 4, § 25 in light of its resolution of that issue. In all other respects, leave to appeal is denied, because we are not persuaded that the remaining questions presented should be reviewed by this Court. We do not retain jurisdiction.