2003 House Bill 4732 / Public Act 70

Introduced in the House

May 22, 2003

Introduced by Rep. Jim Howell (R-94)

To establish state minimum court costs of $60 for a felony conviction, $45 for a serious misdemeanor or specified misdemeanor conviction, and $35 for any other misdemeanor conviction. The payments would be deposited into a new Justice System Fund which would replace some of the general fund money now used to pay for the judiciary. This bill is one of many authorizing fee increases included in Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s proposal to close a gap between state spending and expected revenue in the Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget. The legislative package would fix the amount of various court fees and reduce the discretion of judges to waive fees in certain cases.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

June 12, 2003

Reported without amendment

With amendments.

June 18, 2003

Amendment offered

To raise the fee on non-serious misdemeanors and ordinance violations to $40 instead of $35.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jim Howell (R-94)

To correct a drafting error in the language of the bil.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 108 to 0 (details)

To establish state minimum court costs of $60 for a felony conviction, $45 for a serious misdemeanor or specified misdemeanor conviction, and $40 for any other misdemeanor conviction. The payments would be deposited into a new Justice System Fund which would replace some of the general fund money now used to pay for the judiciary. This bill is one of many authorizing fee increases included in Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s proposal to close a gap between state spending and expected revenue in the Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget. The legislative package would fix the amount of various court fees and reduce the discretion of judges to waive fees in certain cases.

Received in the Senate

June 19, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

June 26, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

July 1, 2003

Passed in the Senate 36 to 0 (details)

To establish state minimum court costs of $60 for a felony conviction, $45 for a serious misdemeanor or specified misdemeanor conviction, and $35 for any other misdemeanor conviction. The payments would be deposited into a new Justice System Fund which would replace some of the general fund money now used to pay for the judiciary. This bill is one of many authorizing fee increases included in Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s proposal to close a gap between state spending and expected revenue in the Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget. The legislative package would fix the amount of various court fees and reduce the discretion of judges to waive fees in certain cases.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

July 21, 2003