Public Act 492 of 2004

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• Introduced by Sen. Alan L. Cropsey (R) on November 4, 2003, to revise the number of judges authorized in various court districts, and convert part-time probate judges in several low-population counties into full time judges with the authority and title of a district judge in addition to probate judge.
  • Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on November 4, 2003.
    • Reported in the Senate on December 4, 2003, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  • Referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee on January 14, 2004.
    • Reported in the Senate on November 10, 2004, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) previously recommended by the Committee on Judiciary be rejected. With the recommendation that the substitute (S-5) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  • Substitute offered in the Senate on November 30, 2004, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises many details and provisions. See Senate-passed bill description for details. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on November 30, 2004.
• Passed in the Senate (37 to 0) on December 2, 2004, to convert part-time probate judges in Alcona, Baraga, Benzie, Iron, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ontonagon, Oscoda, and Presque Isle Counties to full-time status; and give the jurisdiction and authority of a district judge to these judges and to the probate judges in Barry, Berrien, Isabella, Otsego, and Van Buren counties. Also, to provide that the state would pay the full cost of ballot questions on creating probate districts, rather than half the cost. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on December 2, 2004.
  • Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on December 2, 2004.
    • Reported in the House on December 7, 2004, with the recommendation that the amendments be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  • Amendment offered in the House on December 8, 2004, to remove the provision that gives the jurisdiction and authority of a district judge to the probate judges in Otsego, and Van Buren, Barry and Berrien Counties. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on December 8, 2004.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Jim Howell (R) on December 8, 2004, to remove language referring to the second judicial district (Ontonagon and Gogebic counties) and the third judicial district (Iron and Dickinson counties). The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on December 8, 2004.
• Passed in the House (98 to 8) on December 8, 2004, to convert part-time probate judges in Iron and Ontonagon counties to full-time status; and give the jurisdiction and authority of a district judge to these judges and to the probate judges in Alcona, Baraga, Benzie, Missaukee, Montmorency, 20 Oscoda, and Presque Isle. Also, to provide that the state would pay the full cost of ballot questions on creating probate districts, rather than half the cost. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on December 8, 2004, to concur with the House-passed version of the bill. Passed in the Senate (35 to 0) on December 8, 2004. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on December 27, 2004.