SPLIT 73RD DISTRICT COURT - S.B. 834 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 834 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Joel D. Gougeon

Committee: Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would amend the revised Judicature Act (RJA) to split into two districts, with local approval, the current 73rd judicial district. The district presently consists of Huron and Sanilac Counties, is a district of the first class, and is divided into two election divisions. The first division consists of Huron County and has one judge; the second division consists of Sanilac County and has one judge.

Under the bill, effective January 1, 1999, if Sanilac County approved the creation of the 73rd-A district, and if Huron County approved the creation of the 73rd-B district, the 73rd-A district would consist of the County of Sanilac and have one judge and the 73rd-B district would consist of the County of Huron 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 Sanilac County and whose term expires on January 1, 2003, would become a judge of the 73rd-A district on January 1, 1999, for the balance of the judge's elected term. The incumbent judge who resides in Huron County and whose term expires on January 1, 2003, would become a judge of the 73rd-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 600.8138 - 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.