Introduced by Rep. Jim Howell (R) on December 3, 2003, to revise the number of judges authorized for several circuit, probate and district courts.
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on December 3, 2003.
Reported in the House on February 10, 2004, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Substitute offered in the House on March 10, 2004, to replace the previous version of the bill with one recommended by the committee which reported it. The substitute revises some of the changes in various judgeships as a result of committee testimony and deliberation. This version was subsequently superceded by another substitute with more changes. The substitute failed by voice vote in the House on March 10, 2004.
Substitute offered by Rep. Jim Howell (R) on March 10, 2004, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises some of the changes in various judgeships as a result of committee testimony and deliberation. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on March 10, 2004.
1) Rep. Hoogendyk's "no vote explanation" by Admin003 on March 11, 2004 Rep. Hoogendyk, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
We need to take every opportunity to cut the size of government. A very detailed report was submitted by the State Court Administrator's office recommending the reduction of one judge in Kalamazoo and one judge in Saginaw. Oddly, those two elements did not make it into the bill. I am convinced we could have done without that extra judge in Kalamazoo county. It is a missed opportunity for the county and the state to save precious resources."
2) 2003 House Bill 5337 by admin on January 1, 2001 Introduced in the House on December 3, 2003, to revise the number of judges authorized for several circuit, probate and district courts
The vote was 55 in favor, 46 opposed and 8 not voting