BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 308 By: Park (Harris) Criminal Justice 05-17-95 Senate Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND Currently, a person must be represented by legal counsel prior to waiving the person's right to a jury trial. This requirement includes a person charged with a misdemeanor which may be punishable by fine only. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 308 authorizes persons who are charged with a misdemeanor offense, which is punishable by fine only, to waive their right to a jury without the requirement of legal representation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Article 1.13(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, to require the court to appoint an attorney to represent a person before the person who has no attorney, other than a defendant charged with a misdemeanor, can agree to waive the jury. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.