JUDICIAL DISTRICT REORGANIZATION - S.B. 1051: ENROLLED SUMMARY
Senate Bill 1051 (as enrolled) - PUBLIC ACT 38 of 2000
Sponsor: Senator George A. McManus, Jr.
Senate Committee: Judiciary
House Committee: Family and Civil Law
CONTENT
The bill amended the Revised Judicature Act to authorize the reorganization of the 86th and 87th judicial districts by moving Antrim County and one judge from the 87th district to the 86th district.
Previously, the 86th judicial district consisted of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties and had two judges. The 87th judicial district consisted of Kalkaska, Antrim, and Otsego Counties and had two judges. Under the bill, effective March 26, 2000, the 86th district consists of Grand Traverse, Antrim, and Leelanau Counties and has three judges, and the 87th district consists of Kalkaska and Otsego Counties and has one judge. The bill provided for the additional judgeship in the 86th district to be filled by the incumbent judge of the 87th district residing in Antrim County with a term ending January 1, 2001.
The bill also established staggered terms for the two judicial positions up for election in 2000 in the newly reorganized 86th district. Under the bill, one judge was elected to a four-year term and one judge was elected to a six-year term.
- Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter
BACKGROUND
Antrim County had been part of the 87th judicial district, along with Otsego and Kalkaska Counties. While Otsego and Kalkaska Counties (along with Crawford County) are part of the 46th judicial circuit, however, Antrim County is in the 13th judicial circuit along with Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. The 46th judicial circuit is in a trial court project that combines the 46th circuit court, the 87th district court, and the three county probate courts for Kalkaska, Otsego, and Crawford Counties. As part of the 87th judicial district, Antrim County was included in the combined trial court project for the 46th circuit, even though Antrim is in the 13th judicial circuit.
The Antrim County board of commissioners requested that the county and its district judgeship be transferred to the 86th judicial district, joining Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties, its partners in the 13th judicial circuit, rather than continuing to be part of the 87th district with counties that are in a different judicial circuit.
FISCAL IMPACT
The alignment of the district court within its judicial circuit boundaries will result in increased efficiency and facilitate coordination of services. Antrim County will realize net savings of approximately $27,000 related to the allocation of personnel costs.
- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanS9900\s1051es
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.