Jury service exemptions.

CA AB1359 proposes changes to the rules regarding who can be exempt from serving on a jury in California. The bill aims to clarify and possibly expand the categories of individuals who may be excused from jury duty, making it easier for some people to avoid this civic responsibility due to personal circumstances.

CA AB1359 is a house bill in the California 2025-2026 Regular Session, sponsored by Patrick Ahrens (D), currently “Passed” since September 14, 2026.

We track 5,060 California bills this session, 44 of them sponsored by Patrick Ahrens.

The key recorded vote (A, August 20, 2026) ended 75–0 and passed.

Supporters of CA AB1359 argue that the bill recognizes the diverse challenges individuals face, allowing those with legitimate reasons to be excused from jury service. They believe this will lead to a more equitable system that respects the personal and professional commitments of citizens.

Critics of CA AB1359 may contend that the bill could undermine the jury system by allowing too many exemptions, potentially leading to a less representative jury pool. They argue that jury service is a civic duty that should be upheld by all eligible citizens, and that excessive exemptions could diminish public participation in the justice system.

Source: LegiScan roll call vote data.