Michigan Senate Bill SB0814

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/10/24
• Refer: 4/10/24
• Report Pass: 4/23/24
• Refer: 4/23/24

Caption

Criminal procedure: sentencing; supreme court to determine court operation costs and funding; require. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0815'24

Impact

The bill seeks to change the landscape of trial court funding by ensuring that courts receive adequate resources based on their operational costs and the financial contributions from local government units. A significant provision of the bill is the establishment of a 'trial court fund' to manage the revenue collected and ensure equitable distribution to funding units based on their specific operational expenditures. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the development of a standardized approach for assessing individual case costs, ensuring that these assessments align with the actual costs incurred by each court.

Summary

Senate Bill 0814, known as the 'Trial Court Funding Act of 2024', mandates the Michigan Supreme Court to assess trial court costs and revenue sources. This legislation aims to propose a structured trial court fee schedule and a comprehensive debt collection system for courts. Moreover, it outlines expectations for legislative proposals to reform and enhance the funding for trial courts across the state, thereby addressing the operational funding needs of the courts.

Contention

However, there may be points of contention surrounding how the proposed changes could affect local government budgets and the responsibilities forwarded to them. Local governments may express concerns over the implications of increased financial obligations or changes in revenue sharing related to court operations. Another potential issue is the concern regarding the fairness of the debt collection processes and how they are implemented across different courts, as well as the impact on individuals facing court fees.