Court of Appeals bill renews numbers debate

LANSING (AP) -- A bill that would reconfigure districts for the Michigan Court of Appeals has rekindled debate over how many judges are needed.

A bill approved last Thursday by the Republican-led Michigan House would keep 28 judges on the appeals court. That's the same number the court has had allotted for years. But the court currently has 26 members because Republican Gov. Rick Snyder hasn't filled two vacancies.

Recommendations from the State Court Administrative Office suggest four positions could be eliminated because the number of filings in the appeals system has dropped in recent years.

The redistricting bill passed by a 62-45 party line vote and advances to the Senate.

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House Bill 5160

Published: Mon, Dec 5, 2011