ONLINE SALE OF FORECLOSED PROPERTY REQ. S.B. 527 (S-1):
SUMMARY AS PASSED BY THE SENATE
Senate Bill 527 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate) (enrolled version)
Committee: Local Government (discharged)
Date Completed: 7-15-26
ONLINE SALE OF FORECLOSED PROPERTY REQ. S.B. 527 (S-1):
SUMMARY AS PASSED BY THE SENATE
Senate Bill 527 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate) (enrolled version)
Committee: Local Government (discharged)
Date Completed: 7-15-26
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to transfer $1.0 million of the unencumbered balance remaining in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund, which otherwise rolls over into itself for the next fiscal year, to the Court Equity Fund for State fiscal years ending September 30, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Under the Act, the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund receives proceeds from the collection of driver license clearance fees, which drivers must pay to reinstate a suspended license, and from fees collected at the time a party demands a trial by jury. The Fund must be spent to reimburse courts for their expenses in providing mileage reimbursement and attendance pay to jurors.1 The Court Equity Fund receives proceeds from funds set aside for the operational expenses of trial courts, from fines assessed for civil infractions and misdemeanor convictions, and from specific appropriations. The Court Equity Fund distributes money to courts throughout Michigan based on the relative caseload of each county, the total amount available from the Court Equity Fund for that fiscal year, and the number of judges in each county.2
Under the bill, only for the State fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, $1.0 million of the unencumbered balance remaining in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund at the end of that fiscal year would have to be transferred by the State Treasurer to the Court Equity Fund.
Additionally, only for the State fiscal year ending September 30, 2028, $1.0 million of the unencumbered balance remaining in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund at the end of that fiscal year would have to be transferred by the State Treasurer to the Court Equity Fund.
Finally, only for the State fiscal year ending September 30, 2029, $1.0 million of the unencumbered balance remaining in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund at the end of that fiscal year would have to be transferred by the State Treasurer to the Court Equity Fund.
The Act also requires specific fees that are collected for the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund, such as fees for an appeal and certain motions, to fund a probation program. Instead, under the bill, such fees collected for the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund would have to be used to support the operational expenses of the Court of Appeals.
MCL 600.151d & 600.321 Legislative Analyst: Lauren J. Lahie
[1] MCL 600.151e
[2] MCL 600.151b
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and a net-zero fiscal impact on local governmental units. The bill would dedicate $1.0 million per fiscal year of the unencumbered balance in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund to the Court Equity Fund, for fiscal years 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29.