AB 1277: Jury duty.

California · Assembly · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified February 3, 2026

What AB 1277 does, verified February 3, 2026

This bill aims to increase juror diversity and participation by increasing juror compensation and mileage reimbursement rates. The Judicial Council is required to sponsor a pilot program for two fiscal years to study the effects of these changes. The Council must then provide a report to the legislature, which will also be made available to the public on the internet website, describing the findings of the pilot program and information for promoting juror diversity.

Bill journey

✓IntroducedComplete

2In CommitteeCurrent

3First Chamber FloorPending

4Second ChamberPending

5GovernorPending

6ChapteredPending

Last action: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. (2026-02-02)Alert me

Author and sponsors

Asm. Bill EssayliAuthor · California State Assembly

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Recent actions7 total · showing 5

Feb. 02, 2026	From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Jan. 31, 2026	Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
Mar. 19, 2025	In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Mar. 10, 2025	Referred to Com. on JUD.
Feb. 24, 2025	Read first time.

Full action history, 2 earlier actionsConnect Plus

Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 21, 2025 · 318 words

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1277

Introduced by Assembly Member Essayli

February 21, 2025

An act to amend Section 241 of the Code of Civil Procedure, relating to jury duty.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1277, as introduced, Essayli. Jury duty.

Existing law requires the Judicial Council to sponsor a pilot program for 2 fiscal years to study whether increases in juror compensation and mileage reimbursement rates increase juror diversity and participation. Existing law requires the Judicial Council to provide a report to the Legislature describing the findings of the pilot program and providing information for promoting juror diversity.

This bill would require the Judicial Council to also make the report available to the public on its internet website.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 241 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read:

241.

(a) The Judicial Council shall sponsor a pilot program for two fiscal years to study whether increases in juror compensation and mileage reimbursement rates increase juror diversity and participation. The Judicial Council shall select at least six trial courts, in counties with regional and geographic diversity, including the County of Alameda, to participate in the pilot program.

(b) As part of the pilot program, the participating pilot courts shall collect demographic information, as reported by jurors.

(c) No later than September 1, 2026, the Judicial Council shall provide a report to the Legislature pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code describing the findings of the pilot program and providing information for promoting juror diversity. The Judicial Council shall also make the report available to the public on its internet website.

(d) The Judicial Council may enlist the services of a consultant to conduct the study.

(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

Text of AB 1277 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions