INCREASE BAR EXAM FEES - H.B. 5083 (H-2): COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 5083 (Substitute H-2 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Andrew Raczkowski
House Committee: Family and Civil Law
Senate Committee: Judiciary
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to increase various fees required for application for admission to the State Bar after January 1, 2001, and allow the Michigan Supreme Court to raise the fees further after January 1, 2002.
The bill would raise the fee for applying for the bar exam from $175 to $300, for an examination occurring after January 1, 2001; the fee for a reexamination or recertification would increase from $100 to $200 after that date; and the fee for admission to the bar without examination would increase from $400 to $600 after that date. The bill would retain the $100 additional fee for late filing of an application or transfer of an application.
Under the bill, the Supreme Court, by administrative order or rule, could increase the fee amounts for applying for an exam, reexamination or recertification, or admission without an exam. The exam application fee could be increased to not more than $400, for an examination occurring after January 1, 2002; the fee for a reexamination or recertification occurring after that date could be raised to not more than $300; and the fee for admission without examination after that date could be increased to not more than $800.
MCL 600.931 - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 1999-2000 Judiciary budget included an appropriation for law exam fees based on an increase in fees. Current costs of administering the bar exam are estimated at $477,200. The current law exam fees generate $271,200, which results in the State General Fund covering the shortage. Actual revenue from the fee increase would depend on the number of individuals taking the bar exam. Based on current projections, the fee increases in the bill would generate the additional $206,000 necessary to cover actual costs of the bar exam.
- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanS9900\s5083sa
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.