JUROR COMPENSATION REIMBURSEMENT FUND TRANSFER TO COURT EQUITY FUND

House Bill 6120 (Proposed H-2 Substitute)

Sponsor:  Rep. RashidaTlaib

Committee:  Appropriations

Complete to 9-22-10

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6120 (PROPOSED H-2 SUBSTITUTE)

The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to require that for fiscal year 2010-11 only, $2,607,500 of the unencumbered balance remaining in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund at the end of fiscal year 2010-11 be transferred by the state treasurer to the Court Equity Fund. 

The Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund was created to reimburse counties for the October 1, 2003 increase in the statutory minimum compensation rates for jurors.  Annually, revenues from jury demand fees and driver license clearance fees have outpaced expenses from the Fund.  Transfers out of the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund have been made on three other occasions:

·                    FY 2004-05:  $4,000,000

·                    FY 2007-08:  $2,250,000

·                    FY 2009-10:  $1,352,100

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would transfer $2,607,500 from the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund to the Court Equity Fund to effectively offset General Fund reductions to the FY 2010-11 Judiciary budget.  After the transfer, sufficient funds would remain in the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund to make the required reimbursements to local court funding units. 

Fiscal Analyst:  Ben Gielczyk                                                                           

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.