An act to amend Section 890 of the Penal Code, relating to grand juries.
Summary
AB 2708 makes a narrow, technical change to Penal Code Section 890 governing grand juror compensation. The bill keeps the existing rule that grand jurors are paid $15 per day of attendance, unless a higher fee or mileage rate is set by statute or local ordinance, and it preserves the mileage reimbursement tied to county employee rates. The legislative counsel digest characterizes the change as nonsubstantive, indicating the bill is intended to clean up or clarify the statutory language rather than alter policy.
Because the measure only amends a single sentence in the grand jury compensation statute, its practical effect on state law is limited. It does not change who serves on grand juries, their duties, or the amount of compensation and mileage reimbursement in any substantive way. Any impact would be confined to the wording of Penal Code Section 890 and, indirectly, to counties or city and county ordinances that already set higher rates.
Impact
AB 2708 would amend Penal Code Section 890, the statute governing grand juror fees and mileage reimbursement, but would not materially change the legal obligations of counties, courts, or grand jurors. The bill preserves the $15 daily fee and the existing mileage reimbursement framework, while making a technical correction to the statutory text. As introduced, it has no appropriation, no fiscal committee referral, and no local program designation, reflecting its limited legal and fiscal effect.
Sentiment
The available materials suggest neutral to routine support for the bill. The digest describes the measure as technical and nonsubstantive, which typically indicates little controversy and a low likelihood of opposition. The key vote is listed as a majority vote, but there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes in the provided context to show any substantive debate or division.
Contention
There are no notable points of contention in the provided record. Because the bill does not raise the grand juror fee, alter mileage reimbursement policy, or change grand jury powers, there is no evident dispute over costs, local control, or criminal justice policy. Any discussion would likely be limited to whether the technical wording change is necessary or preferable, rather than to the substance of grand jury compensation.