MI HB4222

Changes the Court of Claims from being staffed by 4 court of appeals judges to 4 circuit court judges assigned by the supreme court, with one judge from each of the 4 court of appeals districts.

Requires at least 1 assigned judge to be from a county with population under 60,000 and limits no more than 2 judges from counties with populations over 500,000.

Extends the assignment term for judges from 2 years to 6 years or until the end of their elected term, whichever is shorter, and requires local funding units to receive 60-day notice before assignment begins.

Transfers all pending Court of Claims matters to the assigned circuit court judges and establishes that the local circuit court clerk acts as the Court of Claims clerk for assigned matters.

Requires the Court of Claims to provide electronic filing, maintain electronic dockets, and conduct hearings via video conferencing whenever possible unless a party objects; effective 90 days after enactment only if HB 4223 is also enacted.