SRC-JLB S.B. 1458 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1458 78R7453 QS-FBy: Lindsay Jurisprudence 4/14/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Harris County jurors are paid the statutory minimum $6 per day for the first two days of jury service and $12.50 for every day thereafter, which has been in effect for more than ten years. With state and local funding sources in short supply, a new revenue stream is needed to fund parking, lunches and increased pay for jurors in Harris County. As proposed, S.B. 1458 requires the clerk of each district court, county court, and county court at law in Harris County to collect a fee of $10 for each petition, cross-claim, counterclaim, intervention, interpleader, or contempt action filed in a civil case and requires the clerk of each justice court in Harris County to collect $3 for each petition, cross-claim, counterclaim, intervention, interpleader, or contempt action filed in a civil case. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Chapter 61, Government Code, to read as follows: CHAPTER 61. JUROR REIMBURSEMENT SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 61, Government Code, by adding a heading for a new Subchapter A of that chapter, as follows: SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 3. Provides that existing Sections 61.001, 61.002, and 61.003, Government Code, are designated as part of the new Subchapter A of Chapter 61, Government Code. SECTION 4. Amends Chapter 61, Government Code, by adding Subchapter B, as follows: SUBCHAPTER B. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC COUNTIES Sec. 61.051. HARRIS COUNTY JUROR REIMBURSEMENT FEES. (a) Requires the clerk of each district court, county court, and county court at law in Harris County to collect a fee of $10 as a cost of court for each petition, cross-claim, counterclaim, intervention, interpleader, or contempt action filed in a civil case. Requires the clerk of each justice court in Harris County to collect a fee of $3 as a cost of court for each petition, cross-claim, counterclaim, intervention, interpleader, or contempt action filed in a civil case. Requires a fee required under this subsection to be collected at the time of filing. Requires the fee to be assessed separately for each defendant named in a crossclaim or counterclaim. (b) Requires a clerk required to collect a fee under Subsection (a) to collect the fee in the manner provided for other court costs and to deliver the fee to the treasurer, or the person who performs the duties of the treasurer, of Harris County. Requires the county treasurer, or the person who performs the duties of the county treasurer, to deposit the fees received in the juror reimbursement account in the general fund of the county established by the county treasurer. Authorizes money in the account to be used only for certain purposes. SECTION 5. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2003.