This bill amends the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 to update the procedures for creating and filling circuit, probate, and district judgeships in Michigan. A significant change is the requirement for any additional judgeship to be approved by a resolution from the county board of commissioners, which must be submitted to the state court administrator by a new deadline of "one hundred fifty-first day before the May primary," replacing the previous deadline of "sixteenth Tuesday preceding the August primary." The bill clarifies that while the legislature can approve additional judgeships, it is the county's approval that officially creates these positions. Furthermore, each additional judgeship must be filled through an election, with a standard term of six years, and the state will continue to cover its share of judges' salaries regardless of the county's decisions.

Additionally, the bill addresses the management of district judgeships, stating that the district control unit will voluntarily accept all expenses and capital improvements associated with new districts and judgeships. It maintains the state's obligation to pay a portion of each judge's salary and mandates that newly created district judgeships also be filled through elections. The bill streamlines the process for reforming judicial districts by removing the requirement for district control unit approval. It includes minor legal language updates, such as changing "which" to "that" and "shall be" to "is" regarding judgeship term lengths. The amendments are set to take effect on January 1, 2028, contingent upon the enactment of Senate Bill No. 691 from the 103rd Legislature.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (S-1): 600.550
Senate Introduced Bill: 600.550
As Passed by the Senate: 600.550