November 30, 2011
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today signed legislation to ensure full funding of the Court Equity Fund.
Senate Bill 759, now Public Act 234 of 2011, sponsored by state Sen. Roger Kahn, authorizes a $2.6 million transfer of surplus revenue from the Juror Compensation Reimbursement Fund (JCRF) to the Court Equity Fund. The Court Equity Fund provides funding for trial court operations across the state based on a formula that takes into account caseload activity and the number of judges in each county.
The JCRF was established to reimburse counties for the 2003 increase in the statutory minimum compensation rates for jurors. The fund consists of revenue from the collection of driver license clearance fees and jury demand fees. Since its inception, revenue to the fund has consistently outpaced payouts. PA 234 marks the fourth time a transfer of excess funds has been made from the fund.
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