BAY COUNTY JUDGES                                                                                    S.B. 321:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 321 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Mike Green

Committee:  Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to delete a requirement that a circuit court judgeship be eliminated in Bay County when there is a vacancy or an incumbent judge no longer seeks the office, and instead require a similar reduction of one district court judgeship in that county.

The 18^th Judicial Circuit consists of Bay County and has three judges. Beginning on the earlier of the following dates, however, the 18^th circuit will have two judges:

-- The date on which a vacancy occurs in the office of circuit judge in the 18^th circuit.

-- The beginning date of the term for which an incumbent circuit judge in the 18^th circuit no longer seeks election or re-election to that office.

The bill would delete the provision eliminating a judgeship in the 18^th circuit.

The 74^th Judicial District consists of Bay County and has three judges. Under the bill, beginning on the earlier of the following dates, the 74^th district would have two judges:

-- The date on which a vacancy occurred in the office of district judge in the 74^th district, unless the vacancy occurred after the vacating judge had been defeated in a primary or general election.

-- The beginning date of the term for which an incumbent district judge in the 74^th district no longer sought election or re-election to that office as an incumbent.

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

MCL 600.519 & 600.8139                                           Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would result in the elimination of one district court judgeship, and the retention of one circuit court judgeship, in Bay County, so the State government savings from reducing the circuit court judgeships would be lessened. Each circuit court judgeship has a cost to the State of $158,792 (of which $139,920 is salary, $9,078 is payroll taxes, and $9,794 is retirement costs). Each district court judgeship has a cost to the State of $157,003 (of which $138,270 is salary, $9,054 is payroll taxes, and $9,679 is retirement costs). The local court system covers the remaining judgeship costs, including fringe benefits (health care and staff), facility costs, and overhead. The costs for local circuit and district courts differ by location.

Date Completed:  5-27-15                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  John Maxwell

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.