This bill amends the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 to update the procedures for creating and filling judgeships in Michigan. A significant change is the requirement that any additional circuit judgeship must receive approval from each county in the circuit through a resolution, which must be submitted to the state court administrator by a specified deadline. The bill clarifies that the establishment of new judgeships does not obligate the state to cover costs beyond those already required for existing judges. Additionally, it sets the standard term for new judgeships at six years unless otherwise specified and modifies the approval process for new judicial circuits to ensure timely resolution submissions.

Further amendments include replacing the term "preceding" with "before" regarding primary election timing and changing the resolution filing deadline from "August" to "May." The bill emphasizes that the approval of new districts and judgeships by a district control unit's governing body is an option to enhance services, while the state remains responsible for funding judges' salaries and associated costs. It also mandates that newly created district judgeships must be filled through elections and streamlines the process for reforming certain judicial districts without requiring district control unit approval. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, pending the enactment of a related Senate Bill.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 600.550