S 2141Civil Procedure

Courts and Civil Procedure - Procedure Generally - Fees

This bill doubles the daily pay for jurors from $25 to $50, effective July 1, 2026.

Introduced36 Yea0 Nay2 Not voting

Population
Affected

Introduced Jan 16, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation increases the daily compensation for grand and petit jurors serving in the Rhode Island superior court. Currently set at $25.00 per day, the fee is scheduled to increase to $50.00 per day beginning July 1, 2026. The bill maintains the existing provision that allows jurors to voluntarily donate their fee to the state, with those funds specifically allocated to the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center. The General Assembly is mandated to appropriate the necessary funds to cover these increased costs annually.

For younger readers

When people are chosen to be jurors in court, they help decide if someone followed the law. Right now, the state pays them $25 for each day they help. This new rule says that starting in the summer of 2026, the state will pay them $50 a day instead. That is double what they get now. The bill also says that if a juror wants to, they can choose to give that money to a home that takes care of military veterans who need help.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Grand jurorsPetit jurorsTaxpayersRhode Island Veterans Home Community Living CenterCourt administrators

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Increases compensation for civic duty, helping to reduce the financial burden on working-class individuals who must miss work to serve on a jury.
Strengthens the social safety net for veterans by maintaining a direct funding stream to the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center through voluntary donations.
Acknowledges the value of citizens' time and labor within the justice system, moving slightly closer to a living wage model for civic participation.
The fifty-dollar rate is still significantly below the minimum wage for a full day of work, failing to truly compensate low-income workers for lost wages.
The pay increase does not take effect until 2026, delaying necessary financial relief for jurors during a time of immediate inflation and economic stress.
Does not address other barriers to jury service for the poor, such as childcare costs or transportation expenses, beyond the flat fee increase.

For Conservatives

Supports the integrity of the judicial system and the rule of law by ensuring the jury system remains functional and staffed.
Encourages private charity and patriotism by allowing citizens to voluntarily donate their earnings to support military veterans.
Maintains a relatively low cost for government operations compared to market rates, respecting fiscal restraint while adjusting for inflation.
Increases government spending and the burden on taxpayers by doubling the cost of juror fees.
Mandates annual appropriations from the General Assembly, potentially reducing budget flexibility for other priorities.
Expands the size of the state budget during a time when fiscal conservatism and spending cuts are preferred.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 3 additions · 2 deletions

SECTION 1. Section 9-29-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-29 entitled "Fees" is hereby amended to read as follows: 9-29-5. Jurors’ fees.

(a) All grand and petit jurors shall be paid for each day’s attendance on the superior court ~~twenty-five dollars ($25.00)~~ fifty dollars ($50.00) per day commencing July 1, ~~2022~~ 2026, and thereafter. The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(b) Any grand or petit juror may, upon signing a form approved by the presiding justice of the superior court, donate their jury fee to the state. Any such donation shall be deposited into the general fund and shall be allocated to the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.