213.61 Scheduling order; exchange of appraisal reports; opportunity for discovery; appraisal report; testimony relating to value of real property; orders to facilitate compliance.

Sec. 11.

    (1) Upon motion of either party, the court shall issue a scheduling order to assure that the appraisal reports are exchanged and the parties are afforded a reasonable opportunity for discovery before a case is submitted to mediation, alternative dispute resolution, or trial.

    (2) An appraisal report provided pursuant to this section shall fairly and reasonably describe the methodology and basis for the amount of the appraisal. If the testimony or opinion of a person relating to the value of real property would require a license under article 26 of the occupational code, Act No. 299 of the Public Acts of 1980, being sections 339.2601 to 339.2637 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the appraisal shall comply with section 2609 of Act No. 299 of the Public Acts of 1980, being section 339.2609 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and the standards adopted under section 2609 of Act No. 299 of the Public Acts of 1980 and the person shall not be permitted to testify or otherwise render an opinion relating to the value of real property unless the person is licensed under that article. An owner is not required to be licensed or to comply with professional appraisal standards to testify to the value of the owner's property.

    (3) The court may issue orders to facilitate compliance with this section, including but not limited to orders to require mutual simultaneous exchange of the agency's updated appraisal report, if any, and the owner's appraisal report. If an appraisal report has not been provided pursuant to this section, the appraisal report shall not be considered in mediation or alternative dispute resolution proceedings unless specifically authorized by court order. If an appraisal report has not been provided pursuant to this section, the court may bar the taking of appraisal testimony from the appraisal expert, unless the court finds good cause for the failure and finds that the interests and opportunity of the other party to prepare have not been prejudiced.