ALLOW JUDGES TO SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGES STATEWIDE
House Bill 5811
Sponsor: Rep. Jerry Vander Roest
Committee: Civil Law and the Judiciary
Complete to 8-6-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5811 AS INTRODUCED 3-19-02
House Bill 5811 would amend Chapter 83 of the Revised Statutes of 1846 (MCL 551.7), which deals with the solemnization of marriage, to allow a supreme court justice or a court of appeals, circuit, district, municipal, or probate judge to solemnize a marriage anywhere in the state. The bill would also allow a retired judge to solemnize a marriage anywhere in the state while he or she is assigned as a sitting judge. A retired judge eligible to be assigned as a sitting judge could be assigned as a sitting judge for the purpose of solemnizing marriages for a period of up to one year.
Chapter 83 allows-and the bill would continue to allow-federal judges to solemnize marriages anywhere in the state. Currently, the law does not expressly permit supreme court justices or court of appeals judges to solemnize marriages and restricts district, municipal, and probate judges to solemnizing marriages within their respective jurisdictions.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.