COURT CONSOLIDATION, ELIMINATION                                                H.B. 5859 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5859 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Phil Green

House Committee:  Judiciary

Senate Committee:  Judiciary and Public Safety

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to abolish, beginning January 1, 2021, the probate courts in Huron and Sanilac Counties, and create the 19^th probate court district, which would have three probate judges, if approved by the boards of commissioners and the electors of Huron and Sanilac Counties.

MCL 600.803 et al.                                                 Legislative Analyst:  Stephen Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the local court systems involved. The consolidation would require reorganization of the existing court systems within the local communities addressed under the bill. This reorganization could increase or decrease costs to the new local court system, depending upon how it was structured, a determination that would be made by the three judges that were placed in the proposed court.

Date Completed:  8-31-20                                              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.