Bill Summary
The District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act aims to ensure that grand and petit jurors serving in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia receive the same fees and expenses as those serving in the United States district courts. The legislation amends the District of Columbia Official Code to align the compensation for jurors in the Superior Court with the rates established for federal district court jurors, as specified in section 1871 of title 28 of the United States Code. Additionally, the Act repeals a previous provision that governed juror compensation. The new fee structure will take effect at the beginning of the first fiscal year following the enactment of the Act.
Possible Impacts
The "District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act" aims to align the compensation for jurors in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia with those serving in U.S. District Courts. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Increased Financial Compensation for Jurors**: Jurors serving in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia would receive higher fees and expenses, which could alleviate financial burdens for individuals who might struggle to take time off work to serve. This could encourage more people to participate in jury duty without the fear of financial strain.
2. **Improved Diversity in Jury Pools**: By increasing juror compensation, the legislation may attract a broader range of individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds to serve on juries. This could lead to more representative jury pools, which is essential for ensuring a fair trial and maintaining public trust in the judicial system.
3. **Potential Economic Impact on Local Businesses**: Increased juror pay could have ripple effects on local businesses, especially if more individuals are able to serve without financial concerns. For example, employees who might have hesitated to serve due to lost wages may now feel more empowered to fulfill their civic duty, potentially impacting the workforce dynamics of local businesses during jury duty periods.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7881 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7881
To amend title 11, District of Columbia Official Code, to provide that
grand and petit jurors serving in the Superior Court of the District of
Columbia shall receive fees and expenses at the same rates paid to
grand and petit jurors appearing in the district courts of the United
States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 9, 2026
Ms. Norton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 11, District of Columbia Official Code, to provide that
grand and petit jurors serving in the Superior Court of the District of
Columbia shall receive fees and expenses at the same rates paid to
grand and petit jurors appearing in the district courts of the United
States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``District of Columbia Juror Pay
Parity Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHING FEES FOR JURORS SERVING IN SUPERIOR COURT OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AT SAME RATES PAID FOR JURORS
SERVING IN UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS.
(a) Establishment of Fees.--Section 11-1912(a), District of
Columbia Official Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Grand and petit jurors serving in the Superior Court shall
receive fees and expenses at rates equivalent to the rates provided
under section 1871 of title 28, United States Code, for fees and
allowances paid to grand and petit jurors appearing in the district
courts of the United States.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 15-718, District of Columbia
Official Code, is repealed.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply
with respect to fees and expenses paid on or after the first day of the
first fiscal year which begins after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
<all>