HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION O

October 17, 2019, Introduced by Reps. Brann, Crawford, Allor, Vaupel, Cherry and Bellino and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state constitution of 1963, by amending section 19 of article VI, to eliminate the age limitation from eligibility criteria for judicial office.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Michigan, That the following amendment to the state constitution of 1963, to eliminate the age limitation from eligibility criteria for judicial office, is proposed, agreed to, and submitted to the people of the state:

ARTICLE VI

Sec. 19. (1) The supreme court, the court of appeals, the circuit court, the probate court and other courts designated as such by the legislature shall be courts of record and each shall have a common seal. Justices and judges of courts of record must be persons who are licensed to practice law in this state.

(2) To be qualified to serve as a judge of a trial court, a judge of the court of appeals, or a justice of the supreme court, a person shall have been admitted to the practice of law for at least 5 years. This subsection shall not apply to any judge or justice appointed or elected to judicial office prior to the date on which this subsection becomes part of the constitution.

(3) No person shall be elected or appointed to a judicial office after reaching the age of 70 years.

Resolved further, That the foregoing amendment shall be submitted to the people of the state at the next general election in the manner provided by law.