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.