ALLEGAN, KALAMAZOO COUNTIES; ADD'L JUDGESHIP                             S.B. 1047 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 1047 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Sean McCann

Committee:  Judiciary and Public Safety

 

CONTENT

 

The bill would amend Chapter 5 (Circuit Courts: Organization and Powers) of the Revised Judicature Act to do the following:

 

 --    Allow the 9th Judicial Circuit, which consists of Kalamazoo County, to have one additional judge effective January 1, 2025, and to increase, from four to five, the number of judgeships.

 --    Specify that, if the judgeship were added to the 9th Judiciary Circuit, the initial term of office for the judgeship would be eight years.

 --    Allow the 48th Judicial Circuit, which consists of Allegan County, to have one additional judge effective January 1, 2025, and to increase, from one to two, the number of judgeships.

 

MCL 600.510 & 600.549                                      Legislative Analyst:  Stephen P. Jackson

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would have a no immediate fiscal impact on State or local government. The bill could have a negative fiscal impact on the State and local courts in the coming fiscal years if the county board of commissioners for Allegan and Kalamazoo Counties elected to add a circuit judge, which the bill would permit.

 

The bill would allow for an additional circuit court judge for Kalamazoo County and Allegan County, effective 2025. Each circuit court judgeship costs the State $159,917 (as of fiscal year 2021-22). These costs include salary, retirement contributions, and employer-paid taxes. Additionally, local courts systems may pay for fringe benefits and overhead for judges. Those costs differ by location.

 

Date Completed:  6-2-22                                                Fiscal Analyst:  Michael Siracuse

 

 

 

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.