H.B. 177
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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill provides limits to costs for jurors and witnesses in state courts to only those
10 authorized by statute.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . provides that costs for jurors and witnesses do not include personnel salaries or
14 vehicle purchases; and
15 . requires a report on certain costs to the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice
16 Appropriations Subcommittee each year.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 78B-1-117 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
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25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 78B-1-117 is amended to read:
27 78B-1-117. Jurors and witnesses -- State payment for jurors and subpoenaed
28 persons -- Appropriations and costs -- Expenses in justice court.
29 (1) The state is responsible for payment of all fees and expenses authorized by law for
30 prosecution witnesses, witnesses subpoenaed by indigent defendants, and interpreter costs in
31 criminal actions in the courts of record and actions in the juvenile court. The state is
32 responsible for payment of all fees and expenses authorized by law for jurors in the courts of
33 record. For these payments, the Judicial Council shall receive an annual appropriation
34 contained in a separate line item appropriation.
35 (2) If expenses, for the purposes of this section, exceed the line item appropriation, the
36 administrator of the courts shall submit a claim against the state to the Board of Examiners and
37 request the board to recommend and submit a supplemental appropriation request to the
38 Legislature for the deficit incurred.
39 (3) In the justice courts, the fees, mileage, and other expenses authorized by law for
40 jurors, prosecution witnesses, witnesses subpoenaed by indigent defendants, and interpreter
41 costs shall be paid by the municipality if the action is prosecuted by the city attorney, and by
42 the county if the action is prosecuted by the county attorney or district attorney.
43 (4) Expenses, for the purposes of this section, do not include personnel salaries or the
44 purchase of vehicles.
45 (5) Beginning July 1, 2014, the administrator of the courts shall provide a report during
46 each interim to the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee
47 detailing expenses, trends, and efforts made to minimize expenses and maximize performance
48 of the costs under this section.
Legislative Review Note
as of 3-3-14 2:57 PM