BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 204
                                                       By: Nelson
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                          2-28-95
                                       Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

In Texas there are 2,661 law enforcement agencies at the state,
county, and municipal level.  Employees of law enforcement agencies
are rarely selected for jury service because of their occupation. 
An exemption would allow these employees the opportunity to opt out
of jury service, but allow them to serve as a juror if desired. 
Employees asked to cover for individuals called for jury duty are
paid time and half for their service.  This places extra costs on
the law enforcement agency.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 204 exempts certain peace officers of law
enforcement agencies from jury duty.

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 Section 62.106, Government Code, as follows:

     Sec. 62.106.  EXEMPTION FROM JURY SERVICE.  Provides that
     peace officers of  law enforcement agencies of the state,
     political subdivisions of the state, and the federal
     government are included on the list of persons exempted from
     jury service.  Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.
           Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.