MACOMB COUNTY; ADD. PROBATE JUDGE H.B. 4823:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
House Bill 4823 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Douglas Wozniak
Senate Committee: Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety
CONTENT
The bill would amend Chapter 8 (Probate Courts) of the Revised Judicature Act to allow Macomb County to have one additional probate judgeship beginning January 1, 2025.
Under Section 803 of the Act, Macomb County has two probate judges. Under the bill, subject
to Section 805, Macomb County could have one additional judge, beginning January 1, 2025.
(Generally, Section 805 allows additional probate judgeships to be authorized if the county board of commissioners adopts a resolution approving the creation of that judgeship and the county clerk files a copy of it with the State Court Administrator.)
BRIEF RATIONALE
The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) conducts workload assessments based on caseload data in courts across the State. These assessments inform SCAO's recommendations to the Legislature concerning the number of judges in each court. According to testimony, assessments of Macomb County's probate court caseload have resulted in SCAO recommending an additional judgeship.
Legislative Analyst: Tyler P. VanHuyse
FISCAL IMPACT
The costs for a judgeship are shared by the State and the local government in which the judge
sits. The State covers salary and retirement costs, while the local government covers the cost
of additional benefits, personnel costs, supplies, equipment, office space, etc.
Each probate judgeship costs the State just under $200,000 General Fund/General Purpose,
with a base salary of approximately $172,100 and costs for payroll taxes and retirement benefits at $24,200.
Date Completed: 11-6-23 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.