CLINTON/GRATIOT JUDGESHIPS

Senate Bill 43

Sponsor:  Sen. Rick Jones

House Committee:  Judiciary

Senate Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 3-7-13

A REVISED SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 43 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 2-13-13

The bill would (1) eliminate by attrition one circuit court judgeship in the 29th Judicial Circuit (Clinton and Gratiot Counties) and (2) retain a probate judgeship slated for elimination in the 65A District (Clinton County).

Public Act 300 of 2011 amended the Revised Judicature Act to, among other things, provide that the remaining district court judgeship in the 65B District be eliminated as of 12 noon on January 1, 2015, and the duties of that district court judge be assumed by the probate judge for Clinton County.

Instead, Senate Bill 43 would amend the act to retain the district court judgeship in the 65A District and eliminate the provision calling for the Clinton County probate judge to serve as a judge of the district court as of noon on January 1, 2015.

The bill would also eliminate one of the two judgeships in the 29th judicial circuit (Clinton and Gratiot Counties) beginning on the earlier of the following dates:

o                   The date on which a vacancy occurs.

o                   The beginning date of the term for which an incumbent judge no longer sought election or reelection to that office.

MCL 600.530 and 600.8132

FISCAL IMPACT:

A fiscal analysis is in process; however, it should be noted that the bill would eliminate one circuit court judge in exchange for retaining a district court judge in the same area, which means the overall number of judges would remain the same. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky           

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.