SPLIT 65TH DISTRICT COURT - S.B. 747 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 747 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Jon Cisky

Committee: Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act (RJA) to split into two districts, with local approval, the current 65th judicial district. The district presently consists of Gratiot and Clinton Counties, is a district of the first class, and is divided into two election divisions. The first division consists of Gratiot County and has one judge; the second division consists of Clinton County and has one judge.

Under the bill, effective January 1, 1999, if Clinton County approved the creation of the 65th-A district, and if Gratiot County approved the creation of the 65th-B district, the 65th-A district would consist of the County of Clinton and have one judge and the 65th-B district would consist of the County of Gratiot and have one judge. Each would be a district of the first class.

The bill specifies that the creation of the two new districts could not take place unless resolutions of approval by the county boards of commissioners were filed with the State Court Administrator by April 1, 1998. If the new judicial districts were created, the change in the composition of the districts would take effect for judicial purposes on January 1, 1999.

If the new districts were created, the incumbent judge who resides in Clinton County and whose term expires on January 1, 2003, would become a judge of the 65th-A district on January 1, 1999, for the balance of the judge's elected term. The incumbent judge who resides in Gratiot County and whose term expires on January 1, 2003, would become a judge of the 65th-B district on January 1, 1999, for the balance of the judge's elected term. Both judges would have to continue to meet other requirements for eligibility, including residency requirements.

MCL 600.8132 - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed: 1-28-98 - Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.