DEPUTY REGISTER OF DEEDS

House Bill 5645

Sponsor:  Rep. Sandra Caul

Committee:  Local Government and Urban Policy

Complete to 9-13-04

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5645 AS INTRODUCED 3-16-04

House Bill 5645 would amend RS 14 of 1846 entitled “Of County Officers” to revise the provisions dealing with the appointment of a deputy register of deeds.

Currently under the law, a register of deeds must appoint a deputy to hold office, and that deputy serves at the register’s pleasure.  The appointment (and any revocation of the appointment) must be in writing and filed with the county clerk.  The law specifies that the deputy must take the oath of office, “as prescribed by the 12^th Article of the [Michigan] Constitution”.  (This appears to refer to a now-defunct state constitution.) Under the bill, these provisions would be eliminated.

Instead, the bill specifies that the register of deeds must appoint one or more deputies as considered necessary to perform the functions and duties of that office.  The bill also specifies that the register of deeds could revoke the appointment(s) at any time.

MCL 53.91

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no impact on state revenues.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Jim Stansell

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.