CIVIL ACTION FILING FEE                                                                              S.B. 527:

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

Senate Bill 527 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Bruce Caswell

Committee:  Families, Seniors and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to require the party filing an action regarding the custody, support, or parenting time of a minor child, to pay the appropriate fee at the time of filing the action.  Currently, the party must pay the fee before entry of a final judgment or order. 

The bill also would require a party to pay a $150 filing fee before filing a civil action.  Currently, before a civil action is commenced, the party bringing the action must pay the fee.

MCL 600.2529                                                           Legislative Analyst:  Glenn Steffens

FISCAL IMPACT

Most counties already collect the appropriate fees at the time an action is filed, so for these counties the bill would have a limited impact as it would only codify current practice.  For counties that do not collect the fees at the time of filing, the bill would have a minor positive fiscal impact by accelerating the revenue from this source.

Date Completed:  11-8-13                                                   Fiscal Analyst:  Dan O'Connor

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.