SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6112

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, JANUARY 30, 1992

Brief Description:  Establishing limitations for jurors.

SPONSORS: Senators Nelson, Rasmussen, Sellar and M. Kreidler

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6112 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Erwin, M. Kreidler, Madsen, Newhouse, Rasmussen, and A. Smith.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786‑7755)

Hearing Dates: January 29, 1992; January 30, 1992

BACKGROUND:

In late 1990 and early 1991, a survey was conducted of jurors in 17 superior and limited jurisdiction courts.  Jurors indicated which aspects of jury service created problems during their term of service.  This bill responds to some of the concerns identified in the survey.  There is concern that service as a juror often involves a harsh fiscal impact as well as interference with work and other activities.

SUMMARY:

"Juror time of availability" and "jury term" mean the time period the juror is required to remain available for jury service although the juror need not be actually present at the court facility.  "Juror time of service" means the time period a juror must be present at the court facility for jury service.

Jurors will receive $25 a day as well as mileage reimbursement for the time period that he or she is present in court for jury service.  For municipal court jurors the compensation shall be paid by the city and for all other jurors the compensation shall be paid by the county.  The state will reimburse $15 of the compensation upon application by the city or county.  Juror time of availability will not exceed two weeks and juror time of service will not exceed two weeks unless it is extended by the court for jurors involved in a specified case.

Witnesses will receive up to $25 but in no case less than $10 for each day's attendance in all courts in this state.  The specific amount is determined by the appropriate county or city legislative authority. 

A person is prohibited from serving on a jury if the person has been convicted of a felony and his or her civil rights have not been restored.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The increase in juror compensation will not occur if funding is not provided by June 30, 1992 in the supplemental Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Juror compensation has not been raised since 1959 and this bill will, among other things, lessen the loss of income that jurors experience when they perform jury service.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Judge Grant Meiner, Superior Court, Clallam County, Joint Jury Management Committee (pro); Jim Justin, Association of Washington Cities (pro); Bob Freudenstein, Kitsap County Clerks (pro)