Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §1215, as amended by PL 1991, c. 591, Pt. E, §13, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§1215.__Mileage and compensation of jurors

A juror is entitled to paid mileage at the rate of 32__per mile for travel expenses from the juror's residence to the place of holding court and return and to compensation for each day of required attendance at sessions of the court in the following amount:

1.__Rate until July 1, 2004.__Prior to July 1, 2004, $10;

2.__Rate beginning July 1, 2004 and ending June 30, 2005.__ Beginning July 1, 2004 and ending June 30, 2005, $25;

3.__Rate beginning July 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2006.__ Beginning July 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2006, $40; and

4.__Rate beginning July 1, 2006.__Beginning July 1, 2006, $55.

Sec. 2. Payment of jurors. Compensation provided to jurors pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14, section 1215 must be paid for through revenue raised from the levy of fees, forfeitures, penalties and fines imposed pursuant to civil or criminal action, notwithstanding any other dedication of those fees, forfeitures, penalties and fines. The State Court Administrator shall prepare legislation implementing this Act for submission to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature no later than December 1, 2003.

SUMMARY

This bill increases the mileage paid to jurors from 15¢ to 32¢ per mile. This bill also increases the per diem paid to jurors from $10 to $55 over a 2-year period beginning July 1, 2004. This bill also requires that payment for jurors come from fines, forfeitures, penalties and fees levied pursuant to a criminal or civil action and requires the State Court Administrator to submit legislation implementing this payment requirement.