Volume 6 Issue 40

Indicates featured legislation

Jurisdiction: Newly Introduced

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Jurisdiction: Floor and Committee Activity

Michigan HB 5124 Changes language stating that concurrent jurisdiction plans "may" be adopted, into language stating that such plans "shall" be adopted, unless a majority of all judges vote not to have a plan of concurrent jurisdiction. Provides if such a vote occurs, the chief judge of the circuit court of the judicial circuit shall report the results to the State Court Administrator. Adds language allowing concurrent jurisdiction plans to include sharing jurisdiction between one or more district courts within a judicial circuit. Allows a plan of concurrent jurisdiction to apply to other matters involving trial court operation, as approved by the Supreme Court. Eliminates some of the types of plans that are not allowed under concurrent jurisdiction, including power of appointment to a public office delegated to a district court or district judge. Removes the requirement that district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over small claims, and that probate courts have exclusive jurisdiction over trust and estate matters. House concurs with Senate amendment 9/27/12. To Governor for approval.

Qualifications and Terms: Newly Introduced

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Qualifications and Terms: Floor and Committee Activity

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Rule Making Authority: Newly Introduced

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Rule Making Authority: Floor and Committee Activity

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Salary and Budget: Newly Introduced

Michigan HB 5854 Creates health reimbursement accounts for judges. Requires judges contribute to accounts under certain circumstances In House Appropriations Committee.

Salary and Budget: Floor and Committee Activity

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Selection: Newly Introduced

Virginia SB 693 (2013) Prohibits Circuit Court from interim appointing to District Court any person who is the subject of a special and continuing order and under the order such person failed in the House of Delegates or the Senate to receive a majority vote of the members elected to the respective house of the General Assembly. In Senate Courts of Justice Committee.

Selection: Floor and Committee Activity

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Structure Changes: Newly Introduced

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Structure Changes: Floor and Committee Activity

California AB 2611 Authorize superior courts to develop and implement veterans treatment courts for eligible veterans of the United States military. Vetoed by Governor 9/23/12.

Michigan HB 5128 AS AMENDED: Requires each circuit with at least three judges to have a business court, and to submit a plan for its operation to the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) and the Supreme Court. Allows circuits with fewer than three judges to submit an administrative order for a business court to the Supreme Court and the SCAO for review as part of a concurrent jurisdiction plan. Provides that a business court would have jurisdiction over business disputes and commercial disputes in which the amount in controversy exceeded $25,000. Requires an action to be assigned to a business court if all or part of it included a business or commercial dispute. Requires an action to be assigned to a business court judge by blind draw. Authorizes the chief judge of the circuit to review assignments, and provide that the judge's ruling could not be appealed. Requires a business court action to be filed electronically, whenever possible. Requires a business court to meet minimum standards determined by the SCAO. Provides that fees payable in civil actions in circuit court would apply to business court cases. Requires the Michigan Judicial Institute to provide training for business court judges. Provides that any case pending on a pilot business court docket on January 1, 2013, would remain on that docket and assigned to the same judge until its completion. House concurs with Senate amendment 9/27/12. To Governor for approval.

Michigan HB 5162 Authorizes but does not require veterans treatment courts as divisions of Circuit and District Courts to provide a supervised treatment program for veterans who abuse or are dependent upon controlled substances or alcohol or suffer from a mental illness. House concurs with Senate amendment 9/27/12. To Governor for approval.

Other: Newly Introduced

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Other: Floor and Committee Activity

Pennsylvania SB 903 Expands definition of "dangerous weapon" that is prohibited from possession in a court facility to include any explosive or incendiary device or material when possessed with intent to use or to provide such device or material to commit arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction. Approved as amended by Senate Appropriations Committee 9/24/12.