MARQUETTE CO.; CT. REORGANIZATION                                                                                             H.B. 4656 (H-1):

                                                                                                                                                                                                      SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                                                                                                        REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4656 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:   Representative Sara Cambensy

House Committee:   Judiciary

Senate Committee:   Judiciary and Public Safety

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to allow the 25^th Judicial Circuit, which consists of Marquette County, to have one additional judge beginning January 1, 2023.

Under the Act, except as otherwise provided, the 25^th Judicial Circuit consists of Marquette County and has two judges. Beginning on the earlier of the following dates, the 25^th Judicial Circuit has one judge:

 --       The date on which a vacancy occurs in the office of circuit judge in the 25^th Judicial Circuit.

 --       The beginning date of the term for which an incumbent circuit judge in the 25^th Judicial Circuit no longer seeks election or reelection to that office.

The bill would delete these provisions.

Instead, under the bill, the 25^th Judicial Circuit would consist of Marquette County and would have one judge. Subject to Section 550, the 25^th Judicial Circuit could have one additional judge beginning January 1, 2023. (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.)

MCL 600.526                                                                                                                 Legislative Analyst:   Stephen Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a negative fiscal impact on the State and Marquette County. The bill would allow for a second circuit court judgeship within the 25^th Judicial Circuit subject to Section 550 (discussed above). The cost to the State for an additional circuit court judgeship would be roughly $182,500. Costs for judgeships are shared between State and local governments. Local governments typically pay for fringe benefits, personnel costs, supply costs, and office space. As such, the additional costs for Marquette County are not known.

Date Completed:   6-29-21                                                                                           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.