"Pursuant to article 3, section 8 of the state constitution of 1963, the state supreme court shall rule on the constitutionality of chapters 4, 5, and 6 before January 1, 1976.”
On October 16, 1975, the Clerk of the House of Representatives sent the following letter to the Chief Justice:
"Enclosed are seven copies of Public Act No. 227 of 1975 (Enrolled House Bill No. 5250). I hereby call your attention to section 200 on the last page of the bill.”
We have construed this as a request for an *149 advisory opinion and respectfully deny the request without prejudice.
Const 1963, art 3, § 8 provides that:
"Either house of the legislature or the governor may request the opinion of the supreme court on important questions of law upon solemn occasions as to the constitutionality of legislation after it has been enacted into law but before its effective date.”
As set forth in a concurring opinion in
Advisory Opinion re Constitutionality of
"Michigan’s Constitution, thus, restricts advisory opinions to
" — important questions of 'law’,
" — concerning the 'constitutionality’ of legislation,
" — 'upon solemn occasions’ when requested by either house of the Legislature or the Governor,
" — after the legislation has been enacted into law but before the effective date.”
As suggested by the "important questions of law” requirement, the request for an advisory opinion must "particularize any claims of unconstitutionality”.
Advisory Opinion re Constitutionality of
Viewed against what the Constitution requires, § 200 of
Since chapters 4, 5, and 6 of
Notes
In contrast,
see
the specific questions set forth by the Senate in
Advisory Opinion re Constitutionality of
This requirement might be satisfied by a resolution of either House after enactment.
See, e.g.,
the Senate Resolution of November 28, 1972, invoking Const 1963, art 3, § 8, to obtain an advisory opinion on three questions concerning
