html> 5480: FLOOR ANALYSIS (3-1-04) - CLARE/GLADWIN CIRCUIT JUDGE CLARE/GLADWIN CIRCUIT JUDGE H.B. 5480: FLOOR ANALYSIS




House Bill 5480 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Jim Howell
House Committee: Judiciary
Senate Committee: Appropriations

CONTENT


The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act (RJA) to authorize a new judgeship in the 55th Judicial Circuit, which consists of Clare and Gladwin Counties and currently has one judge. Under the bill, subject to Section 550 of the RJA, this circuit could have one additional judge effective January 1, 2005.

(Under Section 550, an additional circuit judgeship permitted by the RJA may not be authorized to be filled by election unless the county board of commissioners adopts a resolution approving the creation of that judgeship. The county clerk must file a copy of the resolution with the State Court Administrator by 4:00 p.m. of the 16th Tuesday preceding the August primary for the election to fill the additional judgeship.)


MCL 600.549g

FISCAL IMPACT


The bill would increase costs to State and local government.


Based on the 2004 salary of a circuit court judge, the State would incur the following annual costs for a new circuit judgeship:

$157,242

Salary		 $139,919
 
Social Security/Medicare		 7,529
 
Defined Contribution Retirement		 9,794
Total

The cost of the proposed additional judgeship was not included in the Executive Recommendation for the FY 2004-05 budget. If a judge were added as of January 1, 2005, it would cost the State approximately $117,900 for FY 2004-05.


Local costs would depend on the cost of fringe benefits for judges provided by the county, support staff costs, and whether additional office or courtroom facilities would be necessary.


Date Completed: 3-1-04 Fiscal Analyst: Bethany Wicksall

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. hb5480/0304