JUROR COMPENSATION H.B. 4209 (S-1) & 4210 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
House Bill 4209 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
House Bill 4210 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Peter J. Lucido
House Committee: Law and Justice
CONTENT
House Bill 4209 (S-1) would amend Section 1344 of the Revised Judicature Act to do the following, beginning April 1, 2018:
-- Increase from $0.10 per mile to $0.20 per mile the mileage reimbursement rate for jurors.
-- Increase the minimum compensation for jurors provided sufficient funds were available in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund, as determined by the State Court Administrator.
Currently, the minimum compensation for a juror is $25 per day and $12.50 per half day for the first day of actual attendance at the court. For each subsequent day or half day of attendance, the minimum compensation is $40 per day and $20 per half day. Under the bill, beginning April 1, 2018, the rate for the first day or half day of actual attendance would be a minimum of $30 per day and $15 per half day. For each subsequent day or half day, the minimum rate would be $45 per day and $22.50 per half day.
House Bill 4210 (S-1) would amend the Revised Judicature Act to do the following:
-- Authorize the State Court Administrator to allocate money from the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund to enter into a contract for jury management software.
-- Authorize the State Court Administrator to provide money from the Fund for a position within the State Court Administrative Office that provided technical assistance to all State trial courts on jury management.
-- Eliminate a $40,000 annual cap on expenses for which the State Court Administrator must be reimbursed.
-- Provide for court funding units to receive reimbursement from the Fund for the increase in the statutory minimum compensation rate under Section 1344 of the Act, excluding certain amounts.
MCL 600.1344 (H.B. 4209) Legislative Analyst: Jeff Mann
600.151e (H.B. 4210)
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would have no direct fiscal impact on the State or local government. The mileage reimbursement increase would be paid to local units from the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund, and the increased daily juror compensation rate would go into effect only if it were determined that sufficient funds were in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund to pay for the increase. According to statute, the Fund receives deposits from the collection of driver license clearance fees, jury demand fees, and income from investment credited to the Fund. The unencumbered balance remaining in the Fund at the end of the fiscal year must remain in the Fund and not revert to the General Fund.
The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) estimates that the increase in mileage reimbursement rates would cost approximately $500,000 per year. If the increased daily juror compensation rate had been in effect in fiscal year 2015-16, the additional cost would have been $833,747. The SCAO would need to negotiate with vendors for a statewide contract for jury management software, so the Office does not have an estimate of that cost, but believes that there are sufficient funds in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund to pay for the juror compensation increases as well as the jury management software and employee.
Date Completed: 5-17-17 Fiscal Analyst: Ryan Bergan
This 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.