HOUSE BILL No. 5191

 

December 1, 2011, Introduced by Rep. LeBlanc and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

     A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled

 

"Revised judicature act of 1961,"

 

by amending section 8507 (MCL 600.8507), as amended by 2005 PA 326.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 8507. (1) Magistrates shall be registered electors in the

 

county in which they are appointed. Beginning January 1, 2013, a

 

person must be admitted to the practice of law in this state in

 

order to be appointed as a magistrate and must maintain that status

 

to remain serving as a magistrate. All magistrates appointed shall

 

serve at the pleasure of the judges of the district court. Before

 

assuming office, persons appointed magistrates shall take the

 

constitutional oath of office and file a bond with the treasurer of

 

a district funding unit of that district in an amount determined by

 

the state court administrator. The bond shall also apply to

 


temporary service in another county under subsection (2), (3), or

 

(4), or pursuant to within a multiple district plan under

 

subsection (5).

 

     (2) In a district of the first class that consists of more

 

than 1 county, if a magistrate is temporarily absent or

 

incapacitated, the chief or only district judge may direct a

 

magistrate of another county of the same district to serve

 

temporarily in the county where the magistrate is temporarily

 

absent or incapacitated. The district judge shall make his or her

 

order in writing. A magistrate serving temporarily under this

 

subsection is not entitled to additional compensation but shall be

 

reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred during the

 

authorized temporary service upon certification and approval by the

 

state court administrator. Upon allowance, the reimbursement shall

 

be paid by the state treasurer out of the appropriation for the

 

state court administrative office.

 

     (3) In a district of the first class that consists of more

 

than 1 county, the chief or only district judge may authorize a

 

magistrate appointed in 1 county to serve in another county in the

 

district.

 

     (4) Pursuant to Under a multiple district plan created under

 

section 8320 involving adjoining districts of the first class, a

 

district court magistrate appointed in a county of 1 district may

 

be authorized to serve in a county of the adjoining district. While

 

serving in the adjoining district, the magistrate shall be is

 

subject to the superintending control of the chief or only district

 

judge of that district.

 


     (5) Pursuant to Under a multiple district plan created under

 

section 8320 involving districts in the same county, a district

 

court magistrate may be authorized to serve in any participating

 

district of the county.