SB 994

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law, the Trial Jury Selection and Management Act, requires that persons selected for jury service be selected at random and from sources inclusive of a representative cross section of the population of the area served by the court, including, but not limited to, the list of registered voters. Existing law provides that if a jury commissioner requires a prospective juror to complete a questionnaire the information provided in the questionnaire shall be used solely for qualifying prospective jurors and the management of the jury system. Existing law requires the Secretary of State and county elections officials to post on their internet websites specified information on permissible uses of personal information supplied by a voter when completing a voter registration affidavit. This bill would require jury commissioners to share with the county elections official of the county information provided in prospective juror questionnaires for the purpose of the county elections official conducting voter roll maintenance activities, such as removing persons from the voter rolls who are deceased, admitted noncitizens, or otherwise ineligible to register to vote. The bill would require county elections officials to share with the jury commissioner of the county the current list of registered voters residing in the county for the jury commissioner's use in creating source lists for prospective jurors. The bill would make conforming changes to the information on permissible uses of personal information obtained from voter registration required to be posted by the Secretary of State and county elections officials on their internet websites. By expanding the duties of jury commissioners and county elections officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.