Jeanne Jones v. City of Farmington Hills

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: April 2, 2002
• Docket: 117935
• Status: Published

Opinion

Michigan Supreme Court Lansing, Michigan 48909 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ C hief Justice Justices Maura D. Cor rigan Michael F. Cavanagh

Opinion Elizabeth A. Weaver Marilyn Kelly Clifford W. Taylor Robert P. Young, Jr. Stephen J. Markman

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FILED APRIL 2, 2002

ROBERT POHUTSKI, AMY POHUTSKI, KIERK

SANDERLIN, JOELLE SANDERLIN, ALAN

BULLION, ANTHONY CORBELL, PIETRO FUSCO,

NORMA FUSCO, KAYE GARDNER, BEVERLY

GARDNER, SHIRLEY KARAPETOFF, KAREN

KEREZI, BRIAN LaFUENTE, MICHELLE

LaFUENTE, RICHARD REFALKO, DOLORES

RAFALKO, WILLIAM SHAMUS, KATHLEEN

SHAMUS, and all others similarly

situated, a certified class,

Plaintiffs-Appellees,

v No. 116949

CITY OF ALLEN PARK, a Michigan Municipal

Corporation,

Defendant-Appellant,

and

JOHN DOE REPRESENTATIVES, EMPLOYEES, OR

AGENTS OF THE CITY OF ALLEN PARK,

Jointly and Severally,

Defendants.

JEANNE JONES, JAMES JONES, ROGER TROST,

CAROL TROST, MIKE ROBERT, MIKE BARTHLOW,

CINDY BARTHLOW, SUSAN BROWN, KENNETH

BROWN, SHIRLEY BRYANT, DAVID BURHANS,

MAGDALENA CHAVEZ, WILLIAM CHUNN, IVAN

GADJEV, FLORENCE GADJEV, REX GLASSON,

BARBARA GLASSON, KEVIN HALL, SONIA HALL,

LON HAMILTON, DIANE HAMILTON, WILLIAM

HATTON, ELIZABETH HATTON, BILL HOFSESS,

JOAN HOFSESS, JAMES HUBBLE, VIRGINIA

HUBBLE, SOUREN MERUCCI, ENERA MERUCCI,

MARY PEGORARO, PHIL PEGORARO, LUIS

PERESSINI, MICHAL ALLEN PETERS, MIGUEL

PRIETO, JILL PRIETO, TODD SNIDER, BETTY

ZAHER, and all other similarly situated,

v No. 117935

CITY OF FARMINGTON HILLS, a Michigan

Municipal Corporation, and JOHN DOE

REPRESENTATIVES, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS OF

THE CITY OF FARMINGTON HILLS, Jointly

and Severally,

Defendants-Appellants.

BEFORE THE ENTIRE BENCH

CORRIGAN, C.J.

In these consolidated cases, this Court once again faces

whether the plain language of § 7 of the governmental tort

liability act, MCL 691.1407, permits a trespass-nuisance

exception to governmental immunity. Because the Legislature’s

definition of the word “state” is clear and unambiguous, we

hold that it does not. In so holding, we overrule Hadfield v

Oakland Co Drain Comm’r, 430 Mich 139; 422 NW2d 205 (1988),

and other cases to the contrary. However, because we are

mindful of the effect our holding will have on the

administration of justice, we conclude that limiting our

holding to prospective application is appropriate.

I

FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL POSTURE

A

POHUTSKI V ALLEN PARK

The city of Allen Park experienced a “ten year storm” on

February 17 and 18, 1998. As a result of the high volume of

rainfall, raw sewage from the city’s sewer system backed up

through plaintiffs’ floor drains and into their basements.

Plaintiffs filed a class action against the city of Allen Park

for trespass, nuisance, trespass-nuisance, negligence, and

unconstitutional taking in April 1998. Plaintiffs thereafter

sought summary disposition of their trespass-nuisance claim

under MCR 2.116(C)(10). Plaintiffs argued that defendant was

liable as a matter of law under the doctrine of trespass­

nuisance and that Hadfield barred governmental immunity as a

defense. Defendant opposed the motion, arguing that a claim

of trespass-nuisance required a showing of causation, and that

it could not be held strictly liable solely on the basis of

its ownership of the sewer system.

In a brief opinion rendered from the bench, Wayne Circuit

Judge Edward Thomas granted plaintiffs’ motion for partial

summary disposition, holding that defendant was strictly

liable under the “trespass-nuisance” exception to governmental

immunity. The Court of Appeals denied defendant’s application

for interlocutory review. Unpublished order, entered May 23,

2000 (Docket No. 222238).

B

JONES V FARMINGTON HILLS

On August 6, 1998, a “one hundred year storm” dropped

approximately 4.6 inches of rain in less than six hours on the

city of Farmington Hills, causing flooding throughout the

community. As a result, raw sewage from defendants’ sewer

system traveled up through plaintiffs’ floor drains and into

their basements. Thirty-seven plaintiffs filed suit against

the city of Farmington Hills, alleging claims of trespass,

nuisance, trespass-nuisance, negligence, and unconstitutional

taking. Plaintiffs moved for summary disposition of their

trespass-nuisance claim, arguing that defendant was liable as

a matter of law under Hadfield. Defendant opposed the motion

and filed a counter motion for summary disposition, arguing

that trespass-nuisance is not a strict liability tort and that

plaintiffs had failed to establish causation or improper

construction, engineering, or maintenance of its sewer system.

Oakland Circuit Judge Jessica Cooper denied defendants’

motion and granted plaintiffs’ motion for summary disposition

of their trespass-nuisance claim. Judge Cooper held that

trespass-nuisance was a recognized exception to the

governmental immunity statute, MCL 691.1407, and that no

genuine issues of material fact existed regarding the

exception’s three elements: (1) a condition (nuisance or

trespass), (2) cause (physical intrusion), and (3) causation

or control (by government).

After the trial court denied reconsideration, defendant

applied for leave to appeal in the Court of Appeals. The

Court of Appeals granted the application and stayed the

pending trial date. Plaintiffs then filed an emergency motion

for rehearing. The Court of Appeals granted plaintiffs’

motion, vacated its earlier order, and denied leave to appeal.

Unpublished order, entered September 29, 2000 (Docket No.

227657).

II

STANDARD OF REVIEW

This Court reviews a trial court’s decision to grant

summary disposition de novo. Wickens v Oakwood Healthcare

System, 465 Mich 53, 59; 631 NW2d 686 (2001). Questions of

statutory interpretation are also reviewed de novo. In re MCI

Telecommunications, 460 Mich 396, 413; 596 NW2d 164 (1999).

III

THE GOVERNMENTAL TORT LIABILITY ACT

From the time of Michigan’s statehood, this Court’s

jurisprudence has recognized that the state, as sovereign, is

immune from suit unless it consents, and that any

relinquishment of sovereign immunity must be strictly

interpreted. Manion v State Hwy Comm’r, 303 Mich 1, 19; 5

NW2d 527 (1942). Sovereign immunity exists in Michigan

because the state created the courts and so is not subject to

them. Ross v Consumers Power Co (On Rehearing), 420 Mich 567,

598; 363 NW2d 641 (1984).

It is important to distinguish between “sovereign

immunity” and “governmental immunity”:

“[S]overeign” immunity and “governmental”

immunity are not synonymous. True, they have been

over the years used interchangeably in decisions,

but a delineation may be helpful. Sovereign

immunity is a specific term limited in its

application to the State and to the departments,

commissions, boards, institutions, and

instrumentalities of the State. The reason is the

State is the only sovereignty in our system of

government, except as the States delegated part of

their implicit sovereignty to the Federal

government.

* * *

. . . Over the years, by judicial

construction, this “sovereign” immunity has been

transmogrified into “governmental” immunity and

made applicable to the “inferior” divisions of

government, i.e., townships, school districts,

villages, cities, and counties, but with an

important distinction. These subdivisions of

government enjoyed the immunity only when engaged

in “governmental” as distinguished from

“proprietary” functions. [Myers v Genesee Auditor,

375 Mich 1, 6, 8-9; 133 NW2d 190 (1965) (opinion of

O’HARA , J.) (emphasis in original).]

In Williams v Detroit, 364 Mich 231, 250; 111 NW2d 1

(1961), Justice EDWARDS , joined by Justices T.M. KAVANAGH , SMITH ,

and SOURIS , wrote: “From this date forward the judicial

doctrine of governmental immunity from ordinary torts no

longer exists in Michigan. In this case, we overrule

preceding court-made law to the contrary.” Justice BLACK , in

his concurring opinion, stated that governmental immunity

would be abolished only for municipalities, not the state and

its subdivisions. Id. at 278.

As we noted in Ross, supra at 605, the Legislature

enacted the governmental tort liability act in 1964 in

reaction to Williams’ abolition of common-law governmental

immunity for municipalities, and in anticipation of a similar

abrogation of immunity for counties, townships, and villages.

The act “was intended to provide uniform liability and

immunity to both state and local governmental agencies” when

involved in a governmental function. Id. at 614. While

there is agreement regarding the statute’s intent, there has

been much disagreement regarding its meaning.

When faced with questions of statutory interpretation,

our obligation is to discern and give effect to the

Legislature’s intent as expressed in the words of the statute.

DiBenedetto v West Shore Hosp, 461 Mich 394, 402; 605 NW2d 300

(2000); Massey v Mandell, 462 Mich 375, 379-380; 614 NW2d

70(2000). We give the words of a statute their plain and

ordinary meaning, looking outside the statute to ascertain the

Legislature’s intent only if the statutory language is

ambiguous. Turner v Auto Club Ins Ass’n, 448 Mich 22, 27, 528

NW2d 681 (1995). Where the language is unambiguous, “we

presume that the Legislature intended the meaning clearly

expressed--no further judicial construction is required or

-

permitted, and the statute must be enforced as written.”

DiBenedetto, supra at 402. Similarly, courts may not

speculate about an unstated purpose where the unambiguous text

plainly reflects the intent of the Legislature. See Lansing

v Lansing Twp, 356 Mich 641, 649-650; 97 NW2d 804 (1959).

When parsing a statute, we presume every word is used for

a purpose. As far as possible, we give effect to every clause

and sentence. “The Court may not assume that the Legislature

inadvertently made use of one word or phrase instead of

another.” Robinson v Detroit, 462 Mich 439, 459; 613 NW2d 307

(2000). Similarly, we should take care to avoid a

construction that renders any part of the statute surplusage

or nugatory. In re MCI, supra at 414.

With these principles of statutory construction in mind,

we turn to the language of MCL 691.1407(1), which provides:

Except as otherwise provided in this act, a

governmental agency is immune from tort liability

if the governmental agency is engaged in the

exercise or discharge of a governmental function.

Except as otherwise provided in this act, this act

does not modify or restrict the immunity of the

state from tort liability as it existed before

July 1, 1965, which immunity is affirmed. [Emphasis

added.]

“Governmental agency” and “state” are not synonymous, nor are

they interchangeable. Rather, each is precisely defined in

the statute:

(b) “Political subdivision” means a municipal

corporation, county, county road commission, school

district, community college district, port

district, metropolitan district, or transportation

authority or a combination of 2 or more of these

when acting jointly; a district or authority

authorized by law or formed by 1 or more political

subdivisions; or an agency, department, court,

board, or council of a political subdivision.

(c) “State” means the state of Michigan and

its agencies, departments, commissions, courts,

boards, councils, and statutorily created task

forces and includes every public university and

college of the state, whether established as a

constitutional corporation or otherwise.

(d) “Governmental agency” means the state or a

political subdivision. [MCL 691.1401.]

Under a plain reading of the statute, then, the first sentence

of § 7 applies to both municipal corporations and the state,

while the second sentence applies only to the state. Despite

the Legislature’s clear and unambiguous use of the word

“state” in the second sentence, this Court has struggled with

its meaning.

HADFIELD V OAKLAND CO DRAIN COMM ’R

In Hadfield, we considered whether the trespass-nuisance

exception to governmental immunity, as a common-law tort-based

exception, survived the governmental tort liability act. We

concluded that recognition of the historic trespass-nuisance

exception was required by the language of § 7. In so holding,

we strayed from the plain language of the statute, despite our

claim that we “moved carefully to impose judicial construction

only upon those terms in the statute that required

interpretation.” Id. at 173.

Hadfield correctly interpreted the first sentence of § 7

because it focused on the plain language chosen by the

Legislature:

Taken alone, the first sentence of § 7 does

support a narrow interpretation of the act, to

preclude recognition of any nuisance exception.

The Legislature’s use of the word “tort” to

describe the liability from which governmental

agencies are to be held immune exemplifies the

breadth of the intended immunity. There is no

doubt that nuisance is a tort and that liability

for nuisance would be within the scope of statutory

governmental immunity as expressed in the first

sentence of § 7. [Id. at 147.]

Hadfield went astray, however, in interpreting the second

sentence of § 7. Ignoring the second sentence’s express

application only to the “state,” the Hadfield Court held that

“the second sentence of § 7 retains preexisting governmental

immunity law except where provided otherwise in the act” and

concluded that it required “a continuation of the nuisance

exception as formulated prior to the enactment of the

governmental immunity act in 1964, as amended by 1970 PA 155.”

Id. at 147, 149 (emphasis added).

LI V FELDT

This Court reaffirmed Hadfield’s erroneous interpretation

of the second sentence of § 7 in Li v Feldt (After Remand),

434 Mich 584, 592-594; 456 NW2d 55 (1990). Justice GRIFFIN , in

his opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part, pointed

out what Hadfield’s plurality and Li’s majority missed: “[t]he

significance of the Legislature’s use of [the terms]

‘governmental agencies’ in the first sentence of § 7 and

‘state’ in the second . . . .” Li, supra at 598-599. Justice

GRIFFIN reasoned:

A literal reading of the second sentence of §

7 seems, at most, to require an historical analysis

of the state’s common-law immunity. The

significance of the Legislature’s use of

“governmental agencies” in the first sentence and

the “state” in the second sentence is underscored

by the definitions expressly given those terms in

the act. “Governmental agency” is defined as “the

state, political subdivisions, and municipal

corporations.” The “state,” on the other hand, is

defined as “the state of Michigan and its agencies,

departments, [and] commissions . . . .” The terms

are not interchangeable. The statutory provision

prohibiting modification or restriction of immunity

is specifically applied to the “state,” a term

which does not embrace municipalities and other

forms of lower government. Definitions supplied by

the Legislature in the statute are binding on the

judiciary. Thus, assuming arguendo that the second

sentence of § 7 requires an historical analysis, it

should be applied to the “state” and not other

“governmental agencies.” [Id. at 598-600.]

He continued:

The underlying premise of the

Hadfield plurality opinion appears to be that the

Legislature’s intent to make uniform the immunity

of all levels of government requires that the

historical analysis purportedly required by § 7

applies to all levels of government, despite the

express limitation of the purported historical

analysis to “the state.”

Although the act’s title declares its purpose

is “to make uniform the liability of municipal

corporations, political subdivisions, and the

state, its agencies and departments,” the

uniformity of immunity intended by the Legislature

does not necessarily include both governmental and

nongovernmental functions. The act’s title

qualifies the uniformity purpose by providing that

the Legislature sought to make uniform the

liability of all government “when engaged in the

exercise or discharge of a governmental function .

. . .” Simply because the Legislature claimed

immunity on behalf of all levels of government

“when engaged in the exercise or discharge of a

governmental function” does not necessarily compel

the conclusion that the state has no immunity when

not engaged in the exercise or discharge of a

governmental function. Indeed, the governmental

tort liability act was “‘[d]rafted under the

apparent assumption that the state and its agencies

enjoyed a total sovereign immunity from tort

liability . . . .’” Thus, the legislative intent

underlying the second sentence of § 7 could merely

have been to “affirm” the state’s preexisting

absolute sovereign immunity, rather than to codify

common-law exceptions to governmental immunity.

Strict uniformity of immunity among all levels of

government is not clearly mandated by § 7. [Id. at

600-601 (citation omitted; emphasis in original).]

Justice GRIFFIN worried that the historical approach

adopted by the Hadfield plurality and reaffirmed by Li would

“leave[] ajar the door to additional immunity exceptions that

cannot be fairly culled from the language of § 7.” Id. at

602. He noted that nothing in the plain language of § 7

indicated a legislative intent to create a nuisance exception

to governmental immunity, and concluded:

In my opinion, the fundamental purposes of the

act were to restore immunity to municipalities,

grant immunity to all levels of government when

engaged in the exercise or discharge of a

governmental function, and prevent judicial

abrogation of governmental and sovereign immunity.

The second sentence of § 7 was merely intended to

prevent further erosion of the state’s common-law

immunity, rather than preserve any common-law

exceptions to governmental immunity. Under this

analysis, unless the activity of a municipality

falls within one of the five narrowly drawn

statutory exceptions, the only question remaining

in these cases is whether the activity is a

“governmental function,” as defined by the

Legislature. [Id. at 605 (emphasis in original).]

We agree with Justice GRIFFIN ’s analysis and adopt it

today. We hold that while the first sentence of § 7 applies to

both municipalities and the state, the clear and unambiguous

language of the second sentence of § 7 applies only to the

state, as defined in the statute.1

C

THE TRESPASS -NUISANCE EXCEPTION

Because these cases involve cities, the second sentence

1 Because the state is not involved as a party in these

cases, we need not explicate fully the meaning of the second

sentence of § 7. We agree with Justice GRIFFIN that, at most,

the language of the second sentence requires an historical

analysis of the state’s sovereign immunity, but we have no

occasion to undertake such an analysis here. Therefore,

contrary to the dissent’s assertion, we make no determinations

regarding common-law exceptions to the state’s governmental

immunity.

of § 7 does not apply; any trespass-nuisance exception must

therefore come from the first section of § 7. The first

sentence provides:

[MCL 691.1407(1).]

The parties agree that the operation of a sewage system is a

governmental function. Thus, under the terms of the statute,

municipal corporations are immune from tort liability except

as otherwise provided in the act.

The act sets forth five statutory exceptions to

governmental immunity: the highway exception, MCL 691.1402;

the motor vehicle exception, MCL 691. 1405; the public

building exception, MCL 691.1406; the proprietary function

exception, MCL 691.1413; and the governmental hospital

exception, MCL 691.1407(4). In determining if the statutory

exceptions permit a trespass-nuisance exception, we are guided

by the principle expressed in Nawrocki v Macomb Co Rd Comm,

463 Mich 143, 158; 615 NW2d 702 (2000): “There is one basic

principle that must guide our decision today: the immunity

conferred upon governmental agencies is broad, and the

statutory exceptions thereto are to be narrowly construed.”

(Emphasis in original.)

With this principle in mind, we hold that the plain

language of the governmental tort liability act does not

contain a trespass-nuisance exception to governmental

immunity. Trespass-nuisance simply is not one of the five

exceptions to immunity set forth in the governmental tort

liability act. As stated above, we are bound by the clear and

unambiguous statutory text; we lack constitutional authority

to impose on the people of this state our individual policy

preferences regarding the availability of lawsuits arising

from the operation of a sewage system. We must “seek to

faithfully construe and apply those stated public policy

choices made by the Legislature” in drafting the governmental

tort liability act. Nawrocki, supra at 151. We are mindful

that, because immunity necessarily implies that a “wrong” has

occurred, some harm caused by a governmental agency may lack

a remedy. Id. at 157. Although governmental agencies have

many duties regarding the services they provide to the public,

a breach of those duties is compensable under the statute only

if it falls within one of the statutorily created exceptions.

IV

TITLE -OBJECT CLAUSE

Plaintiffs argue that if the second sentence of § 7

applies only to the state and not to all governmental

agencies, it violates the Title-Object Clause, Const 1963, art

4, § 24. We reject this argument.

We note at the outset that “all possible presumptions

should be afforded to find constitutionality.” Advisory

Opinion re Constitutionality of 1972 PA 294, 389 Mich 441,

464; 208 NW2d 469 (1973). Const 1963, art 4, § 24 provides in

pertinent part:

No law shall embrace more than one object,

which shall be expressed in its title.

This constitutional provision requires that 1) a law must not

embrace more than one object, and (2) the object of the law

must be expressed in its title. Livonia v Dep’t of Social

Services, 423 Mich 466, 496; 378 NW2d 402 (1985). This

constitutional limitation ensures that legislators and the

public receive proper notice of legislative content and

prevents deceit and subterfuge. Advisory Opinion, supra at

465. The goal of the clause is notice, not restriction of

legislation.

The “object” of a law is defined as its general purpose

or aim. Local No 1644 v Oakwood Hosp Corp, 367 Mich 79, 91;

116 NW2d 314 (1962). The “one object” provision must be

construed reasonably, not in so narrow or technical a manner

that the legislative intent is frustrated. Kuhn v Dep’t of

Treasury, 384 Mich 378, 387-388; 183 NW2d 796 (1971). We

should not invalidate legislation simply because it contains

more than one means of attaining its primary object;

“[h]owever, if the act contains ‘subjects diverse in their

nature, and having no necessary connection,’” it violates the

Title-Object Clause. Livonia, supra at 499. The act may

include all matters germane to its object, as well as all

provisions that directly relate to, carry out, and implement

the principal object. Advisory Opinion, supra at 465. The

statute “may authorize the doing of all things which are in

furtherance of the general purpose of the Act without

violating the ‘one object’ limitation of art 4, § 24.” Kuhn,

supra at 388. Finally, the constitutional requirement is not

that the title refer to every detail of the act; rather, “[i]t

is sufficient that ‘the act centers to one main general object

or purpose which the title comprehensively declares, though in

general terms, and if provisions in the body of the act not

directly mentioned in the title are germane, auxiliary, or

incidental to that general purpose . . . .” Livonia, supra at

501 (citations omitted).

The title of the governmental tort liability act

provides:

An act to make uniform the liability of

municipal corporations, political subdivisions, and

the state, its agencies and departments, officers,

employees, and volunteers thereof, and members of

certain boards, councils, and task forces when

governmental function, for injuries to property and

persons; to define and limit this liability; to

define and limit the liability of the state when

engaged in a proprietary function; to authorize the

purchase of liability insurance to protect against

loss arising out of this liability; to provide for

defending certain claims made against public

officers and paying damages sought or awarded

against them; to provide for the legal defense of

public officers and employees; to provide for

reimbursement of public officers and employees for

certain legal expenses; and to repeal certain acts

and parts of acts. [Emphasis added.]

Plaintiffs contend that the act would exceed the scope of

its title were the second sentence of § 7 construed to allow

differentiation between the immunity of the state and the

immunity of inferior governmental agencies. We reject this

argument. The title of the act only provides that the

immunity of all governmental agencies will be made uniform for

circumstances involving “the exercise or discharge of a

governmental function.” This is accomplished by the first

sentence of § 7, which confers uniform statutory immunity on

all governmental entities engaged in the exercise or discharge

of a governmental function. In enacting the second sentence

of § 7, the Legislature ensured that, “by restoring to

municipal corporations immunity for governmental functions and

making uniform the immunity of all governmental entities for

governmental functions, it was not thereby waiving the state’s

common-law absolute sovereign immunity for non-governmental

functions . . . .” Ross, supra at 669 (LEVIN , J., dissenting

in part).

In essence, the Legislature defined the scope of the

first sentence of § 7 through the second sentence. Such a

limitation cannot be considered a subject diverse in nature

that has no necessary connection to the primary object of the

act. The limitation in the second sentence is clearly

germane, auxiliary, and incidental to the general purpose of

the act. Therefore, the act as interpreted does not violate

art 4, § 24.

V

STARE DECISIS

We do not lightly overrule precedent. Stare decisis is

generally “‘the preferred course because it promotes the

evenhanded, predictable, and consistent development of legal

principles, fosters reliance on judicial decisions, and

contributes to the actual and perceived integrity of the

judicial process.’” Robinson, supra at 463, quoting Hohn v

United States, 524 US 236, 251; 118 S Ct 1969; 141 L Ed 2d 242

(1998). Before we overrule a prior decision, we must be

convinced “not merely that the case was wrongly decided, but

also that less injury will result from overruling than from

following it.” McEvoy v Sault Ste Marie, 136 Mich 172, 178;

98 NW 1006 (1904).

At the same time, we must also remember that stare

decisis is a principle of policy, not an inexorable command.

Robinson, supra at 464. Stare decisis should not be applied

mechanically to prevent this Court from overruling erroneous

decisions regarding the meaning of a statute. Id. at 463. In

Robinson, supra at 464, we set forth four factors that we

consider before overruling a prior decision: 1) whether the

earlier case was wrongly decided, 2) whether the decision

defies “practical workability,” 3) whether reliance interests

would work an undue hardship, and 4) whether changes in the

law or facts no longer justify the questioned decision. In

considering the reliance interest, we consider “whether the

previous decision has become so embedded, so accepted, so

fundamental, to everyone’s expectations that to change it

would produce not just readjustments, but practical real-world

dislocations.” Id. at 466. Further, we must consider

reliance in the context of erroneous statutory interpretation:

[I]t is well to recall in discussing reliance,

when dealing with an area of the law that is

statutory, . . . that it is to the words of the

statute itself that a citizen first looks for

guidance in directing his actions. This is the

essence of the rule of law: to know in advance what

the rules of society are. Thus, if the words of

the statute are clear, the actor should be able to

expect, that is, rely, that they will be carried

out by all in society, including the courts. In

fact, should a court confound those legitimate

citizen expectations by misreading or misconstruing

a statute, it is that court itself that has

disrupted the reliance interest. When that

happens, a subsequent court, rather than holding to

the distorted reading because of the doctrine of

stare decisis, should overrule the earlier court’s

misconstruction. The reason for this is that the

court in distorting the statute was engaged in a

form of judicial usurpation that runs counter to

the bed r o c k principle of American

constitutionalism, i.e., that the lawmaking power

is reposed in the people as reflected in the work

of the Legislature, and, absent a constitutional

violation, the courts have no legitimacy in

overruling or nullifying the people’s

representatives. Moreover, not only does such a

compromising by a court of the citizen’s ability to

rely on a statute have no constitutional warrant,

it can gain no higher pedigree as later courts

repeat the error. [Id. at 467-468.]

Thus, while too rapid a change in the law threatens judicial

legitimacy, correcting past rulings that usurp legislative

power restores legitimacy. Id. at 472-473 (CORRIGAN , J.,

concurring).

Accordingly, we must shoulder our constitutional duty to

act within our grant of authority and honor the intent of the

Legislature as reflected in the plain and unambiguous language

of the statute. In so doing, we rectify Hadfield’s

misconstruction of the statutory text.

We are mindful, however, of the effect our decision may

have in overruling Hadfield’s interpretation of § 7. As this

Court noted in Placek v Sterling Heights, 405 Mich 638, 665;

275 NW2d 511 (1979), quoting Williams v Detroit, 364 Mich 231,

265-266; 111 NW2d 1 (1961):

“This Court has overruled prior precedent many

times in the past. In each such instance the Court

must take into account the total situation

confronting it and seek a just and realistic

solution of the problems occasioned by the change.”

After taking into account the entire situation confronting the

Court, we hold that our decision shall have only prospective

application.

Although the general rule is that judicial decisions are

given full retroactive effect, Hyde v Univ of Michigan Bd of

Regents, 426 Mich 223, 240; 393 NW2d 847 (1986), a more

flexible approach is warranted where injustice might result

from full retroactivity. Lindsey v Harper Hosp, 455 Mich 56,

68; 564 NW2d 861 (1997). For example, a holding that

overrules settled precedent may properly be limited to

prospective application. Id. Moreover, the federal

constitution does not preclude state courts from determining

whether their own law-changing decisions are applied

prospectively or retroactively. Great Northern R Co v

Sunburst Oil & Refining Co, 287 US 358, 364-365; 53 S Ct 145;

77 L Ed 360 (1932).

This Court adopted from Linkletter v Walker, 381 US 618;

85 S Ct 1731, 14 L Ed 2d 601 (1965), three factors to be

weighed in determining when a decision should not have

retroactive application. Those factors are: (1) the purpose

to be served by the new rule, (2) the extent of reliance on

the old rule, and (3) the effect of retroactivity on the

administration of justice. People v Hampton, 384 Mich 669,

674; 187 NW2d 404 (1971). In the civil context, a plurality

of this Court noted that Chevron Oil v Huson, 404 US 97, 106­

107; 92 S Ct 349; 30 L Ed 2d 296 (1971), recognized an

additional threshold question whether the decision clearly

established a new principle of law. Riley v Northland

Geriatric Center (After Remand), 431 Mich 632, 645-646; 433

NW2d 787 (1988) (GRIFFIN , J.).

We turn first to the threshold question noted in Riley.

Although this opinion gives effect to the intent of the

Legislature that may be reasonably be inferred from the text

of the governing statutory provisions, practically speaking

our holding is akin to the announcement of a new rule of law,

given the erroneous interpretations set forth in Hadfield and

Li. See Riley, supra; Gusler v Fairview Tubular Products, 412

Mich 270, 298; 315 NW2d 388 (1981).

Application of the three-part test leads to the

conclusion that prospective application is appropriate here.

First, we consider the purpose of the new rule set forth in

this opinion: to correct an error in the interpretation of §

7 of the governmental tort liability act. Prospective

application would further this purpose. See Riley, supra at

646. Second, there has been extensive reliance on Hadfield’s

interpretation of § 7 of the governmental tort liability act.

In addition to reliance by the courts, insurance decisions

have undoubtedly been predicated upon this Court’s

longstanding interpretation of § 7 under Hadfield:

municipalities have been encouraged to purchase insurance,

while homeowners have been discouraged from doing the same.

Prospective application acknowledges that reliance. Third,

prospective application minimizes the effect of this decision

on the administration of justice. Consideration of recently

enacted 2001 PA 2222 strengthens our determination to limit

our holding to prospective application. 2001 PA 222 amends

the governmental tort liability act to provide a remedy for

damages or physical injuries caused by a sewage disposal

system event.3 Section 17(2) of the act provides, in

Sections 16 to 19 abrogate common law

exceptions, if any, to immunity for the overflow or

backup of a sewage disposal system and provide the

2 2001 PA 222 took effect January 2, 2002.

3 Section 16(k) defines a sewage disposal system event:

“Sewage disposal system event” or “event”

means the overflow or backup of a sewage disposal

system onto real property. An overflow or backup

is not a sewage disposal system event if any of the

following was a substantial proximate cause of the

overflow or backup:

(i) An obstruction in a service lead that was

not caused by a governmental agency.

(ii) A connection to the sewage disposal

system on the affected property, including, but not

limited to, a sump system, building drain, surface

drain, gutter, or downspout.

(iii) An act of war, whether the war is

declared or undeclared, or an act of terrorism.

24 sole remedy for obtaining any form of relief for

damages or physical injuries caused by a sewage

disposal system event regardless of the legal

theory.

2001 PA 222 does not contain any language indicating it

is meant to apply retroactively, but provides only that it is

to take immediate effect. Section 19(1) provides that a

claimant is not entitled to compensation under the statute

unless the claimant notifies the governmental agency of a

claim of damage or physical injury, in writing, within forty­

five days after the date the damage or physical injury was or

should have been discovered. Only two exceptions to the

forty-five-day limit are available: if the claimant notified

the contacting agency during the forty-five-day period or if

the failure to comply resulted from the contacting agency’s

failure to comply with notice requirements. Given the absence

of any language indicating retroactive effect, the forty-five­

day notice limit, and the presumption that statutes operate

prospectively,4 we conclude that 2001 PA 222 does not apply

retroactively.

Thus, if we applied our holding in this case

retroactively, the plaintiffs in cases currently pending would

not be afforded relief under Hadfield or 2001 PA 222. Rather,

4 See Frank W Lynch & Co v Flex Technologies, Inc, 463

Mich 578, 583; 624 NW2d 180 (2001); Franks v White Pine Copper

Div, 422 Mich 636, 671; 375 NW2d 715 (1985); Hughes v Judges’

Retirement Bd, 407 Mich 75, 85; 282 NW2d 160 (1979).

they would become a distinct class of litigants denied relief

because of an unfortunate circumstance of timing.

Accordingly, this decision will be applied only to cases

brought on or after April 2, 2002. In all cases currently

pending, the interpretation set forth in Hadfield will apply.

VI

TAKING CLAUSE

The parties have addressed whether trespass nuisance is

not a tort within the meaning of the governmental immunity

statute, but rather an unconstitutional taking of property

that violates Const 1963, art 10, § 2. The trial courts in

these cases have yet to address the taking claims. Therefore,

we decline to discuss those claims at this time.

VII

CONCLUSION

We hold that the first sentence of § 7, by its plain

language, applies to both the state and its municipalities,

but that the second sentence of § 7 applies only to the state,

as defined in the statute. We overrule precedent holding to

the contrary. Further, we hold that the statute as

interpreted in this opinion does not violate Const 1963, art

4, § 24. After consideration of the effect of this decision

on the administration of justice, we hold that this decision

is limited to prospective application.

Finally, we observe that it appears from the record that

the circuit courts may not have addressed all the elements

required under Hadfield for a claim of trespass-nuisance,

including causation, when deciding the motions for summary

disposition. Therefore, we remand these cases to the circuit

courts to reconsider plaintiffs’ motions for summary

disposition under Hadfield, including the issue of causation.

See Hadfield, supra at 169; Peterman v Dep’t of Natural

Resources, 446 Mich 177, 205, n 42; 521 NW2d 499 (1994).

WEAVER , TAYLOR , YOUNG , and MARKMAN , JJ., concurred with

CORRIGAN , C.J.

S T A T E O F M I C H I G A N

SUPREME COURT

ROBERT POHUTSKI, AMY POHUTSKI,

KIERK SANDERLIN, JOELLE SANDERLIN,

ALAN BULLION, ANTHONY CORBELL,

PIETRO FUSCO, NORMA FUSCO,

KAYE GARDNER, BEVERLY GARDNER,

SHIRLEY KARAPETOFF, KAREN KEREZI,

BRIAN LaFUENTE, MICHELLE LaFUENTE,

RICHARD REFALKO, DOLORES RAFALKO,

WILLIAM SHAMUS, KATHLEEN SHAMUS,

and all others similarly situated,

a certified class,

THE CITY OF ALLEN PARK, a Michigan

municipal corporation,

JOHN DOE REPRESENTATIVE, EMPLOYEES,

OR AGENTS OF THE CITY OF ALLEN PARK,

jointly and severally.

________________________________________

CINDY BARTHLOW, SUSAN BROWN,

KENNETH BROWN, SHIRLEY BRYANT,

DAVID BURHANS, MAGDALENA CHAVEZ,

WILLIAM CHUNN, IVAN GADJEV,

FLORENCE GADJEV, REX GLASSON,

BARBARA GLASSON, KEVIN HALL,

SONIA HALL, LON HAMILTON,

DIANE HAMILTON, WILLIAM HATTON,

ELIZABETH HATTON, BILL HOFSESS,

JOAN HOFSESS, JAMES HUBBLE,

VIRGINIA HUBBLE, SOUREN MERUCCI,

ENERA MERUCCI, MARY PEGORARO,

PHIL PEGORARO, LUIS PERESSINI,

MICHAL ALLEN PETERS, MIGUEL PRIETO,

JILL PRIETO, TODD SNIDER, BETTY ZAHER,

and all other similarly situated,

CITY OF FARMINGTON HILLS,

a Michigan municipal

corporation, and JOHN DOE

REPRESENTATIVES, EMPLOYEES,

OR AGENTS OF THE CITY OF

FARMINGTON HILLS, jointly and severally,

KELLY, J. (dissenting).

The majority's decision today overrules many years of

Michigan jurisprudence interpreting the government tort

liability act (GTLA ). Its rationale for upsetting the well­

reasoned precedent of this Court is that it brings the

statute's construction closer to the Legislature's intent. I

find this patently inaccurate.

Repeatedly, beginning with the decision in Ross v

Consumers Power (On Rehearing),1 this Court has construed the

GTLA each time by scrutinizing the language and the purpose the

Legislature articulated for it. Using a consistent approach,

I conclude that the trespass-nuisance exception still exists

1 420 Mich 567; 363 NW2d 641 (1984).

and that it applies to municipal units of government. I would

hold, as well, that the trespass-nuisance cause of action is

constitutionally derived and unaffected by legislative action.

I. INTERPRETATION OF THE GOVERNMENT TORT LIABILITY ACT

Whenever a court interprets a statute, it attempts to

ascertain and fulfill the Legislature's intent in passing it.

Reardon v Dep't of Mental Health, 430 Mich 398, 407; 424 NW2d

248 (1998). It seeks to identify the object of the statute

and the harm it was designed to remedy. It endeavors to make

a construction that is at once reasonable and analyzed so as

best to accomplish the purposes of the statute. Marquis v

Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co, 444 Mich 638; 513 NW2d 799

(1994). It construes the statute's provisions not in

isolation, but in context. Sun Valley Foods Co v Ward, 460

Mich 230; 596 NW2d 119 (1999).

Having applied these principles, I conclude, as did the

Court in Hadfield v Oakland Co Drain Comm'rs,2 that if the

Legislature had meant to abolish the trespass-nuisance

exception, it would have stated so unequivocally.

The Legislature enacted the GTLA in 1965 as a response to

Williams v Detroit,3 a decision in which this Court abrogated

governmental immunity for municipalities. The Court was

evenly divided concerning whether common-law governmental

2 430 Mich 139, 148; 422 NW2d 205 (1988).

3 364 Mich 231; 111 NW2d 1 (1961).

immunity existed. However, a majority agreed that municipal

units of government are not immune from liability. Id. at

270. As a consequence of Williams, governmental entities in

general retained their common-law immunity, while

municipalities did not.

The title of the GTLA reads as follows:

persons . . . . [MCL 691.1401 et seq., cited in

Ross, supra at 593.]

The language is unequivocal. It expresses an intent to

reestablish and codify a consistent and uniform form of

governmental immunity, restoring the shield to municipal

governments while in the exercise of a governmental function.

After detailing some statutory exceptions to immunity, § 7 of

the statute states:

Except as otherwise provided in this act, all

governmental agencies shall be immune from tort

liability in all cases wherein the governmental

agency is engaged in the exercise or discharge of a

governmental function. Except as otherwise

provided in this act, this act shall not be

construed as modifying or restricting the immunity

of the state from tort liability as it existed

before July 1, 1965, which immunity is affirmed.

In the cases before us today, the defendants argue that

the word "state" in the second sentence of § 7 bars common-law

exceptions to immunity for "all governmental agencies." The

majority goes further, holding that there were no common-law

exceptions to even the state's governmental immunity.4

I disagree with the former and dissent from the latter.

With respect to the former, Ross shows that the word "state"

must be read consistently with the creation of a uniform

system of immunity between municipal, local, and state

governments. With respect to the latter, Hadfield confirmed

that common-law exceptions existed that did survive the

enactment of the GTLA .

A. ROSS V CONSUMERS POWER CO

The Ross decision dealt with the use of the word "state"

in the GTLA . It held that its placement there presented a

clear conflict with the purpose and title of the act. We

faced the same dilemma over § 135 of the act. That section

also used the word "state" to describe immunity:

The immunity of the state shall not apply to

actions to recover for bodily injury or property

damage arising out of the performance of a

proprietary function . . . [Former MCL 691.1413, as

enacted by 1964 PA 170.]

4 The majority states that it makes no ruling with regard

to the state's immunity. However, when it tries to resolve a

conflict between its interpretation of § 7 and the Title-

Object Clause, Const 1963, art 4, § 24, it interprets § 7 as

reserving exceptions only to the state's sovereign immunity.

Under that interpretation, no sentence in the GTLA reserves

common-law exceptions to the governmental function immunity of

the state. Therefore, while the state is not a party to this

action, the majority opinion still carries serious

implications for the state's sovereign immunity.

5 MCL 691.1413.

The Court took the exception for "the state" and applied

it to all governmental entities. It rejected the plain

meaning of § 13 because, so read, it would have limited the

proprietary function exception to the state and its agencies,

departments, and commissions. The Court declined to find that

restriction in the act because it was clearly not what the

Legislature intended. It observed:

The governmental immunity act was intended to

provide uniform liability and immunity to both

state and local governmental agencies. A strict

"expressio unius est exclusio alterius" reading of

§ 13 would destroy this uniformity. [Ross, supra

at 614.]

The Court concluded that restricting § 13 to state government

would run contrary to the goal and intent of the act, namely,

a uniform system of liability and immunity. Moreover, it

would abolish a longstanding exception to common-law immunity

without the presence of any clear indications of legislative

intent to do so. The Legislature codified this Court's

reading of § 13 of the act two years later by substituting the

words "governmental agency" for the word "state."

B. HADFIELD V OAKLAND CO DRAIN COMM 'R

Two years after the Legislature effectively ratified

Ross's interpretation of § 13, the Court decided Hadfield,

supra. It found that the Legislature had used "state" in § 7,

as it had in § 13, to mean "governmental agency." The

defendant in Hadfield argued that there were no common-law

exceptions to governmental immunity under the statute.

Once again, the Court saw a conflict between the language

of the statute, legislative intent, and an historic immunity

exception. It concluded:

While the defendant's arguments, advocating

recognition of only statutory exceptions [to

governmental immunity], are temptingly simple and

straightforward, they negate or ignore the second

half of the legislative mandate of § 7. That

section requires a continuation of the nuisance

exception as formulated prior to the enactment of

the governmental immunity act in 1964 . . . . [Id.

at 149.]

The Court rejected the defendant's argument using this

reasoning: The second sentence of § 7 requires that the

state's governmental immunity remain as it existed before

July 1, 1965. The trespass-nuisance exception is strongly

rooted in Michigan's history. Nothing in the expressions of

the Legislature indicated an intention to change it.

Today's holding discards the conclusion in Hadfield by

reinterpreting the second sentence of § 7 as an expansion of

sovereign immunity. I strenuously disagree with this newfound

purpose for the statute. Both the first sentence and the

second sentence of § 7 use the words "tort liability."

Therefore, the type of liability and immunity the Legislature

intended in the first sentence, it also intended in the

second. According to the second sentence, the immunity from

liability was not to be modified or expanded from what existed

under the common law.

That reasoning, coupled with the intention to create a

uniform system that we found in Ross, leads to one conclusion

only: the Legislature meant to keep the state's sovereign

immunity where it was before July 1965, preventing its

expansion or erosion, and to extend it uniformly to all other

governmental entities. The common-law exception of trespass­

nuisance thus would have survived.

C. LEGISLATIVE CONFIRMATION OF THE EXCEPTION

This year the Legislature enacted 2001 PA 222,6 which

added §§ 16 through 19 to the GTLA . MCL 691.1416 to 691.1419.

The new act creates a mechanism for local governmental units

to make compensation when a defect in a sewer system causes

the type of damage complained of here. Section 17 states:

sole remedy for obtaining any form of relief for

theory. [MCL 691.1417(2).]

This language acknowledges that there are or, at least, may be

common-law exceptions to governmental immunity. Given the

intent and the timing of the act, it is apparent that the

Legislature sought to prevent this Court from barring

homeowner suits for damages.

2001 PA 222 is not alone in acknowledging the likely

existence of common-law exceptions to governmental immunity.

The Legislature also suggests their existence in § 7a of the

GTLA , which it passed in anticipation of Year 2000 computer

6 The act was signed by the Governor after oral arguments

were made in this case.

failures.

Except as . . . provided in . . . Section 13,

a political subdivision other than a municipal

corporation engaged in the exercise or discharge of

a governmental function is immune from liability in

an action to recover damages resulting directly or

indirectly from a computer failure, including, but

not limited to . . . an action based on section 2,

3, 5, 6, or 7. [MCL 691.1407a(1).]

This language indicates that an action to recover damages

could be founded on § 7, a section that the majority believes

is merely an assertion of state immunity. Section 7a of the

GTLA and 2001 PA 222, in conjunction with the legislative

intent described in Ross and Hadfield, are convincing evidence

that the Legislature did not abrogate common-law exceptions to

immunity with § 7.

D. SCOPE OF TITLE

The majority's treatment of the Title-Object Clause7 in

the state constitution omits the significance of the title of

the GTLA as a key indicator of the Legislature's intent.

Since Justice COOLEY 's time, the clause has been applied

to insure that adequate notice of new legislation be given to

the general public and to those affected by it. Maki v East

Tawas, 385 Mich 151, 156-158; 188 NW2d 593 (1971). To

accomplish that end and to avoid deception and subterfuge, the

clause requires that the scope of all legislation must fall

within the scope of its title. Id., Kurtz v People, 33 Mich

279, 281 (1876). In addition, the clause requires that no law

7 Const 1963, art 4, § 24.

embrace more than one object, which must be expressed in the

title.

The title of the GTLA indicates a desire for a "uniform"

system of liability. However, the majority's construction of

§ 7 of the act accomplishes the opposite. The majority

examines the differences between sovereign and governmental

function immunity. It then concludes that, under its reading

of the act, the system will be uniform as regards governmental

function immunity. It finds that reaffirmation of sovereign

immunity was incidental to the purpose of the act.

I disagree. If the first sentence of § 7 codifies a

consistent governmental function immunity and the second

reaffirms the state's sovereign immunity, the second sentence

falls outside the requirements of the Title-Object Clause. It

is beyond the scope of the act's title to "affirm" and codify

the state's common-law sovereign immunity, because the title

refers only to an immunity enjoyed "when engaged in the

discharge of governmental function." MCL 691.1401 et seq. It

is also beyond the act's scope to allow different governmental

immunity at different levels of government, as the majority

finds it does.

The Ross and Hadfield decisions construed the act in a

way that does not violate the Title-Object Clause. The Ross

Court held that § 7 uses the expression "sovereign immunity"

to include governmental functions. The expression was the

tool by which the Legislature made all immunity uniform when

a unit of government was performing a governmental function.

Under this interpretation, the affirmation of sovereign

immunity is germane to the creation of a uniform system of

liability and immunity.

II . THE CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS FOR

Overlooked in the majority's analysis of the

Legislature's intent is whether the trespass-nuisance

exception enjoys a constitutional basis that defeats a

statutory grant of governmental immunity. The majority treats

the question as part of the plaintiffs' taking claim that has

yet to be adjudicated below.

I believe that it is preferable to address the question

here, than wait for the matter to return to us. I believe

that the common-law cause of action of trespass-nuisance is

based on the Taking Clause of the Michigan Constitution8 and,

as a consequence, statutory governmental immunity is not a

defense. Li v Feldt (After Remand), 434 Mich 584, 594, n 10;

456 NW2d 55 (1990).

This Court in Buckeye Union Fire Ins Co v Michigan9

acknowledged that the trespass-nuisance exception has a

constitutional basis. Governmental immunity is not a defense

to a constitutional tort claim, hence not to a claim based on

8 Const 1963, art 10, § 2.

9 383 Mich 630; 178 NW2d 476 (1970).

trespass-nuisance. Thom v State Hwy Comm'r, 376 Mich 608,

628; 138 NW2d 322 (1965). The claim survives despite the fact

that a statutory exception is not present because the law

views the trespass or nuisance as an appropriation of property

rights. Taylor, Googasian & Falk, Torts, § 7:252, p 7-86.

Not even the state can intrude on a citizen's lawful

possession of his property. Ashley v Port Huron, 35 Mich 296,

300 (1877); Herro v Chippewa Co Rd Comm'rs, 368 Mich 263, 272;

118 NW2d 271 (1962). And the protection of one's property

rights is not accomplished solely through actions for eminent

domain. One may sue under the Taking Clause.

Also, actions under the clause are not limited to claims

alleging an absolute conversion of property. Pearsall v

Supervisors, 74 Mich 558; 42 NW 77 (1889). The action of a

governmental agency may constitute a taking when it interferes

with, damages, or destroys the property of an individual.

Buckeye, supra at 642.

Since 1860, this Court has relied on the Taking Clause to

support actions for trespass-nuisance. This Court has held

many times that an invasion by government-controlled waters or

sewage creates a cause of action against which governmental

immunity is not a bar.10

10 See Pennoyer v Saginaw, 8 Mich 534 (1860); Sheldon v

Kalamazoo, 24 Mich 383 (1872); Ashley, supra at 296; Defer v

Detroit, 67 Mich 346, 349; 34 NW 680 (1887); Rice v Flint, 67

Mich 401, 403; 34 NW 719 (1887); Vanderlip v Grand Rapids, 73

(continued...)

On the basis of that long-established precedent, I would

hold that a trespass-nuisance cause of action is

constitutionally based and cannot be abrogated by the

Legislature. The actions of the defendants here in flooding

the plaintiffs' basements constitute a "taking," and damages,

if proven, should be available. The basis for recovery is

that the government deprived plaintiffs of the useful

possession of property that they own. Gerzeski v Dep't of

State Hwys, 403 Mich 149, 170; 268 NW2d 525 (1978).

III . APPLICATION OF THE TRESPASS -NUISANCE EXCEPTION

Trespass-nuisance refers to a "trespass or interference

with the use or enjoyment of land caused by a physical

intrusion that is set in motion by the government or its

agents and result[s] in personal or property damage."

Continental Paper & Supply Co v Detroit, 451 Mich 162, 164;

545 NW2d 657 (1996). Its elements are (1) the existence of a

condition, such as a nuisance or a trespass, (2) a cause, such

as a physical intrusion, and (3) causation or control, as by

government. Id.

10 (...continued)

Mich 522, 535; 41 NW 677 (1889); Seaman v Marshall, 116 Mich

327, 329-330; 74 NW 484 (1898); Ferris v Detroit Bd of Ed, 122

Mich 315, 318; 81 NW 98 (1899); McAskill v Hancock Twp, 129

Mich 74, 78-79; 88 NW 78 (1901); Onen v Herkimer, 172 Mich

593, 598; 138 NW 198 (1912); Attorney General v Grand Rapids,

175 Mich 503, 534; 141 NW 890 (1913); Donaldson v City of

Marshall, 247 Mich 357, 359; 225 NW 529 (1929); Robinson v

Wyoming Twp, 312 Mich 14, 23; 19 NW2d 469 (1945); Defnet v

Detroit, 327 Mich 254, 258; 41 NW2d 539 (1950).

In both cases before us, plaintiffs' basements have been

flooded by discarded water11 that entered through drains hooked

up to the municipal sewer system. The nature of this

intrusion is similar to that found in CS&P, Inc v Midland, 229

Mich App 141, 145; 580 NW2d 468 (1998). There, water and

sewage flowed into the plaintiff's commercial suite from its

floor drains and toilets. The Court of Appeals found that a

trespass-nuisance cause of action existed. A cause should be

found to exist in the cases before us, given the similarity of

facts.

IV . CONCLUSION

The majority finds that the trespass-nuisance exception

to governmental immunity ended in 1965 with passage of the

GTLA . I disagree with its conclusion because of subsequent

judicial precedent upholding the exception and the lack of

clear legislative intent to alter it. Moreover, any

legislative attempt to remove the trespass-nuisance exception

must be found invalid because a cause of action under the

exception is constitutionally based in the Taking Clause.

In making its ruling, the majority discards longstanding

and well-reasoned precedent of this Court in order to make its

own interpretation of a Michigan statute.12 It does so,

11 Defendant disputes whether all the homes in question

were flooded by debris-carrying sewage.

12 See Nawrocki v Macomb Co Rd Comm, 463 Mich 143; 615 NW2d

702 (2000) (KELLY , J., concurring in part and dissenting in

stating an obligation to "shoulder [its] constitutional duty

to act within [its] grant of authority and honor the intent of

the Legislature . . ." and to "rectify . . . [past]

misconstruction of the statutory text." Slip op at 22-23.

But what must be apparent to all, when the rhetoric is

stripped of its gloss, is that this Court is again ignoring

its own past rulings. And, if each successive Court,

believing its reading is correct and past readings wrong,

rejects precedent, then the law will fluctuate from year to

year, rendering our jurisprudence dangerously unstable.

The majority's decision to limit its interpretation of

the statute to prospective use is little more than a

furnishing of salve to stem a hemorrhage. For all the above

reasons, I respectfully dissent.

CAVANAGH , J., concurred with KELLY , J.

12 (...continued)

part).