Appropriations: judiciary; appropriations for fiscal year 2026-2027; provide for. Creates appropriation act.
Summary
SB 867 is a fiscal-year 2026-2027 appropriations bill for the Michigan judiciary. As written, it provides a gross appropriation of $100 from the state general fund/general purpose for the judiciary and authorizes expenditure of that amount for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. The bill is framed as a standard appropriations act and includes general provisions tying the spending to the state budget framework and the Management and Budget Act.
The bill’s practical legal effect is limited to state budgeting and spending authority. It does not create new court powers, change judicial procedures, or amend substantive law; instead, it establishes the amount appropriated to the judiciary and confirms that the spending is subject to existing state budget statutes and constitutional requirements. It also states that state spending from state sources under the bill is $100.00 and that no funds are to be paid to local units of government under this appropriation.
The available voting history suggests the bill was generally supported in committee, where it was reported favorably with substitute S-1 by an 11-6 vote on April 28, 2026. That vote indicates some bipartisan or intra-party division, but the committee outcome was positive. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate broader public sentiment or detailed arguments.
Because this is an appropriations measure with a very small stated dollar amount, the main point of contention appears to be the size and structure of the judiciary funding rather than policy changes. The recorded 11-6 committee vote suggests that some members may have objected to the substitute or the appropriations approach, but the bill advanced out of committee. Overall, the sentiment appears procedural and budget-focused rather than ideological, with the bill functioning as a narrow funding vehicle for the judiciary.
Impact
SB 867 would amend the state budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 by appropriating $100 in state general fund/general purpose money to the judiciary. It affects state fiscal law by authorizing expenditure of that amount and by incorporating the appropriation into the framework of the Management and Budget Act and the Michigan Constitution’s state spending requirements. It does not alter court operations, judicial administration statutes, or the rights and duties of litigants; its impact is limited to funding authorization.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received mixed but ultimately favorable treatment in committee, passing with a 11-6 vote to report it favorably with substitute S-1. That suggests the measure had enough support to advance, but not unanimous backing. With no transcripts available, the broader discussion sentiment can only be characterized as budget-oriented and somewhat divided, likely reflecting disagreement over the appropriations level or substitute language rather than the judiciary itself.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the appropriations amount and the use of a substitute version of the bill, as reflected in the 11-6 committee vote. Members voting no may have objected to the funding level, the structure of the appropriation, or procedural aspects of the substitute. Because no committee transcript is available, there is no evidence of disputes over substantive judicial policy; the disagreement appears centered on fiscal and legislative process issues.