SB 0222 - Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note - SB 0222 - Modifies jury compensation

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. NO.: 0366-01

BILL NO.: SB 222

SUBJECT: Juries, appropriations.

TYPE: Original

DATE: February 12, 1999

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FISCAL SUMMARY

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
General Revenue	(Unknown)	(Unknown)	(Unknown)
Total Estimated Net Effect on All State Funds	(Unknown)	(Unknown)	(Unknown)

* Total costs could approach $1,000,000. -SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION-

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
None
Total Estimated Net Effect on All Federal Funds	$0	$0	$0

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
Local Government	$0	$0	$0

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses

This fiscal note contains 3 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

The Office of the State Courts Administrator (CTS) assume the proposed legislation would have the state pay up to $6/day for jury service. The payment would be in addition to local payment. Currently, some local jury costs are reimbursed to counties through the Office of Administration criminal costs appropriation. CTS would assume the proposal would be implemented by local government paying the higher minimum payments and then claiming reimbursement on a periodic basis. The costs would apply to grand jurors and petit jurors. CTS has data which indicates there are about 6,000 days of petit jury service. When allowing for alternates, it would appear that service would cost the state about $500,000 per year. However, a much larger number of persons are summoned to the courthouse to form the jury pool when a jury is needed. This would increase costs substantially. In addition, a number of grand juries are used with several meeting on a regular basis. Thus, a precise estimate of costs is not possible with the available data. It may be reasonable to expect the total costs to the state could easily approach $1,000,000/year.

The Office of Administration assumes the proposed legislation would have no fiscal impact on their agency.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
	(10 Mo.)
GENERAL REVENUE
Costs - State Courts Administrator*	(Unknown)	(Unknown)	(Unknown)
* Total costs could approach $1,000,000.
-SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION-
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
	(10 Mo.)
	0	0	0
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

DESCRIPTION

This proposal would increase the compensation of jurors from $6 to $12 per day, provided such increase is paid for by state appropriation. If the state appropriates less, then jury pay shall be adjusted accordingly.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program, and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Office of the State Courts Administrator

Office of Administration

Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

February 12, 1999