Substitute House Bill No. 6968 proposes significant amendments to the laws governing juror compensation and reimbursement for expenses incurred during jury service. The bill mandates that full-time employed jurors receive their regular wages from employers for the first five days of service. For part-time employed or unemployed jurors, it introduces a flat fee equal to the minimum fair wage for an eight-hour workday during this initial period. Additionally, the bill stipulates that jurors not classified as full-time will be reimbursed for necessary out-of-pocket expenses, including family care and travel, with reimbursement rates adjusted to align with current federal guidelines.

After the first five days, jurors who are not compensated by their employers will receive a daily payment equal to the current minimum wage for an eight-hour workday, along with reimbursement for family care and travel expenses. The bill also raises the maximum daily reimbursement from $50 to the minimum wage for an eight-hour day and increases the travel reimbursement rate from 20 cents per mile to the federal rate of 70 cents per mile for 2025. Importantly, the bill clarifies that no additional reimbursement will be provided beyond these expenses and the daily flat fee for juror pay. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 51-247
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 51-247
File No. 729: 51-247