SENATE BILL 373

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Lidio G. Rainaldi

FOR THE COURTS, CORRECTIONS AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO COURTS; INCREASING THE RATE OF COMPENSATION FOR PERSONS SUMMONED FOR JURY SERVICE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 38-5-15 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1969, Chapter 222, Section 15, as amended) is amended to read:

     "38-5-15. MILEAGE AND COMPENSATION FOR JURORS.--Persons summoned for jury service and jurors shall be reimbursed for travel from their place of actual residence to the courthouse when their attendance is ordered, at the rate allowed public officers and employees per mile of necessary travel. Persons summoned for jury service and jurors shall be compensated for their time in travel, attendance and service at the highest prevailing state minimum wage rate or at seven dollars fifty cents ($7.50) an hour, whichever is greater."

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Eight hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($825,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the administrative office of the courts for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 to provide compensation to persons summoned for jury service and jurors in accordance with this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2008 shall revert to the general fund.

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