PMWJ H.B. 2145 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
H.B. 2145
By: Solis
4-9-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

 The jury pool of prospective jurors for each Texas county is composed by
using the list of registered voters and, since 1991, the list of licensed
drivers provided by the Department of Public Safety.  This method of
composing a jury pool has increased the representation of all citizens on
a jury by enlarging the jury pool.  However,  certain large counties have
reported difficulties regarding the duplication of names and other
problems with  maintaining a pool derived from both these lists. 


PURPOSE

 H.B. 2145 will give a county or district clerk an added tool to manage
their jury pool and eliminate the duplication of an undeliverable summons
while maintaining the integrity of an expanded jury pool. 


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 Subchapter A, Chapter 62, Government Code by adding
Section 62.0145 as follows: 
 Sec. 62.0145.  REMOVAL OF CERTAIN PERSONS FROM POOL OF PROSPECTIVE
JURORS.   Allows a county or district clerk to remove a person's name from
the jury wheel pool if a written jury summons sent to the person has been
returned to the county or district clerk's office as undeliverable. 

 SECTION 2.  Effective date.

 SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.