Topeka — Two lawyers' groups don't think the $10 a day jurors in Kansas receive is enough and asked the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to endorse a bill increasing it the pay.
But county officials asked the committee to kill the bill because of its potential cost.
Chairman Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, said the committee will seek a compromise.
The legislation would increase pay for jurors to $25 for each of the first five days of service and $40 for each day after that. The Kansas Bar Assn. and Kansas Trial Lawyers Assn. are pushing the idea.
The groups noted that the $10 a day in pay was set in 1971.
"Today, the privilege of serving as a juror is as valuable as it was two centuries ago, when it was included in our Bill of Rights," said Terry Humphrey, a lobbyist for the trial lawyers. "Citizens give their time and efforts to safeguard and protect our liberty and democracy."
County officials described the proposal as an unfinanced mandate, one likely to cost thousands of dollars.
"Many business owners allow their employees to participate in jury duty without any loss in pay as a gesture of community service," said Lyon County Commissioner Vernon McKinzie.
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