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Committee hears bill to let magistrates handle pretrial "advice of rights" hearings in landlord‑tenant cases
Summary
Rep. Aragona told the House Judiciary Committee HB 4021 would codify COVID‑era practice allowing magistrates to conduct the initial advice-of-rights hearing in landlord‑tenant disputes; supporters say it eases judges’ dockets while opponents warn it may grant magistrates authority that should be reserved for elected judges.
Rep. Aragona on behalf of House Bill 4021 told the House Judiciary Committee the measure would codify a practice used during the COVID emergency that allowed magistrates to conduct the first, informational "advice of rights" hearing in landlord‑tenant disputes, freeing district judges to focus on trials and complex matters.
Supporters cited docket relief and routine nature of the hearing. "District court judges are in favor," Aragona told the committee, saying the bill "clears up a lot of their docket" by letting magistrates handle the non‑adjudicative advice-of-rights step. Cards on the bill included support from Sean Cecil (Michigan…
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