The Michigan Legislature has passed a bill that would extend from two years to four years the length of terms served by county commissioners in Michigan.

That means commissioners would serve the same length of terms that elected county executives such as clerks and treasurers serve.

The bill also standardizes terms so commissioners face election at the same time as state representatives in the fall of even-numbered years.

That has its downsides, to be sure.

Sometimes, for example, a fresh face is the best answer for a problem. That’s especially true when it comes to politicians, but the bill signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer means politicians will sit in county seats longer before they have to win voters’ approval again.

But the bill has plenty of upsides, too.

Though a fresh face can be a good thing, the bill gives county commissioners — who often win those seats as their first foray into elective office — more time to learn the ins and outs of their county and of governing. That experience should help them be more effective in their roles, chief among them overseeing the purse strings of county sheriffs and county prosecutors and county road maintenance and more.

County commissions often act as farm teams for the state House, so that experience could make for more effective state legislators, as well.

Plus, a commissioner up for reelection every two years spends almost all his or her time running for elections, which can distract from governing and make the commissioner more timid when it comes to making tough decisions because they don’t want to face voters’ wrath.

On the whole, we believe the goods outweigh the bads on this one, and we’re glad the Legislature put it through.

The change will begin with the November 2024 election.