BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2485

By: Herrero

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

State law provides for a number of exemptions from jury service. While firefighters and police officers do not fall under those exemptions and they are rarely selected to serve on juries because of their occupation, the time spent by them in the jury selection process takes them away from their jobs protecting the community. H.B. 2485 seeks to address this issue by authorizing certain firefighters and police officers to establish an exemption from jury service on the basis of their occupation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2485 amends the Government Code to authorize the following persons qualified to serve as a petit juror to establish an exemption from jury service:

· a firefighter, including a fire chief, who is a permanent, paid employee of the fire department of a municipality or county or of a special district or authority that provides firefighting services; and

· a police officer, including a police chief, who is a permanent, paid employee of a municipal or county police department.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.