BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2951
                                                By: Kamel (Nixon)
                                                 Criminal Justice
                                                          5-23-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Article 34.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, provides that jury
panels for criminal cases be selected in the same manner as the
selection of panels for civil cases.  However, Article 34.01, Code
of Criminal Procedure, does not explicitly allow for electronic
summoning of a special venire jury in a capital case.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2951 authorizes the use of a mechanical or
electronic method of jury selection under Chapter 34, Code of
Criminal Procedure.

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 Chapter 34, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Article 34.05, as follows:

     Art. 34.05.  MECHANICAL OR ELECTRONIC SELECTION METHOD. 
     Authorizes a mechanical or electronic method of jury selection
     as provided by Chapter 62, Government Code, to be used under
     this chapter.
     
     SECTION 2.     Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.