BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 1204
                                            By: Place (Wentworth)
                                                 Criminal Justice
                                                          5-12-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Currently, persons summoned for jury service in a justice or
corporation court are subject to a $20 fine for failure to appear. 


PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1204 increases the maximum fine for failure to
appear for jury service in certain courts to a maximum of $100,
from $20.

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 45.25, Code of Criminal Procedure, to
authorize a person who is summoned to serve as a juror in a justice
or corporation court,  and fails to attend, to be fined up to $100,
rather than $20, for contempt.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.