PMWJ H.B. 1886 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
H.B. 1886
By: Oliveira
4-9-97
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND 

 Prospective jurors are currently reimbursed $6 for their initial
selection hearing and $7.50 per day of jury service if selected.  Many
Texans believe that juror reimbursements are a pittance. A three-day
trial, for instance, would pay a juror $28.50; $6 for the selection
appearance and $22.50 for the three-day trial. 
 Because the amounts of money involved are usually quite small, there has
been growing sentiment that jurors should have the option of donating
their reimbursement stipends to victims' organizations. 


PURPOSE

 H.B. 1886 would allow persons responsible for summoning jurors to provide
prospective jurors with a form letter that would allow them to donate all
or part of their jury service reimbursements to victims' organizations. 


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 amends Section 61.003 of the Government Code to add the child
welfare service fund under Chapter 264, Family Code, or, any program
selected by the county commissioners court that is operated by a public or
private nonprofit organization and that provides shelter and services to
victims of family violence to the list of organizations delineated on a
form letter provided to each juror which when signed would direct the
county treasurer to donate all or part of the prospective juror's
reimbursement for jury service. 

 SECTION 2.  Effective date.  Application of act.

 SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.


EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

 Committee Amendment No. 1 adds a new Sec. 61.003(a)(4) to the Government
Code in Section 1 of the bill and makes conforming changes throughout
Section 1 of the bill due to the addition of new Subsec. (a)(4).  New
Subsec. (a)(4) would allow the commissioners court to approve other
programs to which prospective jurors and jurors may donate their
reimbursement.