[Question Concerning Texas State Court Juror Fees]

A decision was requested concerning whether Veterans Administration employees who have received fees for performing jury duty with Texas courts are indebted to the United States on account of these fees. GAO found that, prior to April 11, 1985, Texas jury duty fees were monetary compensation for jury service; therefore, employees who received jury fees prior to that date are indebted to the United States to the extent that the fees have not previously been credited against their pay, but this indebtedness may be considered for waiver. On April 11, 1985, Texas revised its statutes to provide jury duty fees only for reimbursement of travel and other expenses. GAO found that the amounts authorized do not appear unreasonable or excessive for that purpose; therefore, federal employees do not have a duty to account for jury fees under the current statute.