First Substitute H.B. 177

Representative Keven J. Stratton proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
JUROR AND WITNESS FEES AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Keven J. Stratton

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Daniel W. Thatcher

             6     
             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 are limited to what is authorized by
             14      statute; 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
             24     
             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) Beginning July 1, 2014, the administrator of the courts shall provide a report during
             44      each interim to the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee
             45      detailing expenses, trends, and efforts made to minimize expenses and maximize performance
             46      of the costs under this section.
             47          (5) The funding of additional full-time equivalent employees shall be authorized by the
             48      Legislature through specific intent language.


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]