DEPUTY REGISTER OF DEEDS H.B. 5645 (H-1): COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 5645 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Sandra Caul
House Committee: Local Government and Urban Policy
Senate Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs
Date Completed: 11-10-04
CONTENT
The bill would amend Revised Statute 14 of 1846, which concerns county officers, to require a register of deeds to appoint one or more deputies whom he or she considered necessary to perform the functions and duties of the office of the register of deeds. The register of deeds would have to designate one of the deputies as chief deputy. Currently, the register of deeds must appoint one deputy.
Presently, the deputy holds office at the pleasure of the register of deeds. The bill specifies that the register of deeds could revoke the deputy's appointment at any time. As currently required, the appointment or revocation would have to be in writing and filed with the county clerk.
The bill would delete language under which the register and his or her sureties are responsible for the faithful performance of his or her duties by the deputy.
MCL 53.91 Legislative Analyst: J.P. Finet
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no effect on State revenue or expenditures. Current law already requires the appointment of one deputy. Local government expenditures could be affected, to the extent that the bill resulted in a register of deeds office having a different number of staff members than under current law and that affected counties did not make offsetting changes in other budgetary areas.
This analysis is preliminary and will be revised as new information becomes available.
Fiscal Analyst: David Zin
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5645/0304