1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to courts; requesting the supreme court to 
  1.3             study and make recommendations regarding juror 
  1.4             compensation. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  [JUROR COMPENSATION STUDY.] 
  1.7      (a) The supreme court, in consultation with the conference 
  1.8   of chief judges, is requested to study and make recommendations 
  1.9   regarding the juror compensation system.  The study should 
  1.10  address: 
  1.11     (1) per diem rates of compensation; 
  1.12     (2) reimbursement for special expenses such as child care 
  1.13  and travel; 
  1.14     (3) payment of jurors by employers; 
  1.15     (4) special compensation for jurors who serve on longer 
  1.16  trials; and 
  1.17     (5) other compensation issues identified by the court. 
  1.18     (b) The study should address the use of a system that 
  1.19  fairly compensates jurors to avoid financial hardship resulting 
  1.20  from jury service balanced against the need to promote juries 
  1.21  that are randomly selected and cross-representative of society. 
  1.22     (c) The supreme court is requested to report to the 
  1.23  legislature with the results of the study and recommendations by 
  1.24  December 15, 1999.