ALLEGAN, KALAMAZOO COUNTIES; ADD'L JUDGESHIP                                     S.B. 1047:

                                                                                 SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 1047 (as introduced 5-19-22)

Sponsor:  Senator Sean McCann

Committee:  Judiciary and Public Safety

 

Date Completed:  5-25-22

 

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.

 --   Allow the 48th Judicial Circuit, which consists of Allegan County, to have one additional judge effective January 1, 2023, and to increase, from one to two, the number of judgeships.

 

9th Judicial Circuit

 

Under Section 510 of the Act, the 9th Judicial Circuit consists Kalamazoo County and has four judges. Subject to Section 550, the 9th Judicial Circuit may have one additional judge effective January 1, 1989.

 

(Generally, Section 550 allows an additional circuit judgeship to be authorized if the county board of commissioners in each county in the circuit adopts a resolution approving the creation of that judgeship and the county clerk of each county adopting such a resolution files a copy of it with the State Court Administrator.)

 

Instead, under the bill, the 9th Judicial Circuit would consist of Kalamazoo County and would have five judges. Subject to Section 550, the 9th Judicial Circuit could have one additional judge effective January 1, 2025. If the judgeship were added, the initial term of office of the judgeship would be eight years.

 

48th Judicial Circuit

 

Section 549 of the Act specifies that the 48th Judicial Circuit consists of Allegan County and has one judge. Subject to Section 550, the 48th Judicial Circuit may have one additional judge effective January 1, 1989.

 

Instead, under the bill, the 48th Judicial Circuit would consist of Allegan County and would have two judges. Subject to Section 550, the 48th Judicial Circuit could have one additional judge effective January 1, 2023. If the judgeship were added, the initial term of office of the judgeship would be eight years.

 

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, effective 2025, and Allegan County, effective 2023. 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.

 

                                                                                 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.