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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
fair jury improvement fund
Purpose
Removes the expiration date for both the Arizona Trial and Digital Evidence Fund (Fund) and the additional fee that supplies the Fund, preventing the Fund from lapsing. Renames the Fund the Fair Jury Improvement Fund.
Background
The Fund, formerly the Arizona Lengthy Trial Fund, was established in 2003.The Fund is set to terminate July 1, 2027 (Laws 2017, Ch. 141).
The Fund consists of monies received from additional fees paid on all filings, appearances, responses and answers. The monies in the Fund must be used to pay earnings replacement or supplementation to jurors who serve as petit jurors in the superior court. The amount paid to jurors must be at least $40 but not more than $300 per day per juror beginning on the first day of jury service. Monies in the Fund that are available after paying jurors must be used to pay for the management and storage of digital evidence and to facilitate the display of evidence to the jury and court at trial (A.R.S. § 21-222).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Removes the expiration date for the Fund, preventing the Fund from lapsing.
2. Renames the Fund to the Fair Jury Improvement Fund.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 17, 2025
ZD/AW/ci