SB222 – In Honor of Native American Heritage Month

To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, we are sharing all the favorable outcomes of the 82nd Legislative Session.

As all our relatives become more engaged in civic matters, please know that Senate Bill 222 increases the payment that a person summoned as a juror is entitled to from $40 to $65.

Existing law: (1) authorizes a court to assign a jury commissioner to select trial jurors; and (2) requires a jury commissioner to select jurors from among the qualified electors of the county or city, as applicable, who are not exempt from jury duty.

As part of the process for the selection of trial jurors, existing law requires a jury commissioner to compile and maintain a list of qualified electors from information provided by:

(1) a list of persons who are registered to vote in the county;

(2) the Department of Motor Vehicles;

(3) the Employment Security Division of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation; and

(4) certain public utilities. (NRS 6.045)

Section 6 of this bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, upon the request of a district judge or jury commissioner, to provide a list of the names and addresses of persons who receive public assistance for use in jury selection.

Section 1 of this bill requires a jury commissioner to include the information provided by the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to section 6 in the list of qualified electors.

Section 6.7 of this bill makes an appropriation from the State General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the establishment of a connection to the information technology systems of the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out the provisions of section 6.

Existing law sets forth certain fees for attendance and travel allowances for jurors summoned or serving on a grand jury or trial jury. (NRS 6.150) Section 2 of this bill increases, from $40 to $65, the fee to which a person summoned as a juror or serving as a grand juror or trial juror is entitled.

The NEVADA INDIAN COMMISSION (NIC) is a State agency created by statute in 1965 to “study matters affecting the social and economic welfare and well-being of American Indians residing in Nevada, including but not limited to matters and problems relating to Indian affairs and to federal and state control, responsibility, policy, and operations affecting such Indians.” Beginning on July 1, 2024, our agency will be known as the Department of Native American Affairs (DNA). For more information about jury duty laws, click here.