CA AB881

Expands an existing San Francisco pilot program to 4 additional counties selected by the Judicial Council to test whether increased juror fees promote economically and racially diverse jury panels.

Pays eligible low-income trial jurors $100 per day (instead of the standard $15) in criminal cases if their household income is below 80 percent of the county's area median income and their employer does not compensate for jury service or they are self-employed or unemployed.

Requires the Judicial Council to administer pilot program funding, accept private funds, and design a self-reporting data collection survey to analyze the program's effect on jury diversity.

Mandates the Judicial Council report findings to the Legislature within 6 months after the pilot program concludes, analyzing whether increased fees promote more diverse jury panels reflecting community demographics.

Requires pilot program courts to terminate operations by December 31, 2025, or earlier if increased reimbursement harms litigants' rights or justice; entire program repeals January 1, 2027.