BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 654
By: Jones of Dallas
March 14, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

     Currently, a judge is not required to make provision for
sequestered jurors to vote on election day.  


PURPOSE

     House Bill 654 requires a judge to provide sequestered jurors
reasonable time to vote on election day.


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.


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

     SECTION 1 adds Section 276.009  (VOTING BY SEQUESTERED JUROR)
to Chapter 276 of the Election Code.
           Subsec. (a) requires a judge who has sequestered the
jury to provide a juror reasonable time to vote on election day;
           Subsec. (b) states that a court may provide the
sequestered juror with a means of transportation to and from the
appropriate polling place.

     SECTION 2.  Effective date.

     SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

     Pursuant to a public notice posted March 8, 1995, in
accordance with House rules, the Committee on Judicial Affairs met
in a public hearing on March 14, 1995, to consider House Bill 654. 
The Chair recognized the author, Rep. Jesse Jones, to explain the
bill.  There were no other witnesses. Rep. Nixon moved that H.B.
654 be reported back to the full House, without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass, be printed and sent to the
Committee on Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the following
record vote:  6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV and 3 absent.