PMWJ H.B. 2156 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
H.B. 2156
By: Solis
4-9-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

 Since 1991, the expansion of the jury wheel to include licensed drivers
has greatly increased the jury pool.  Consequently, larger counties have
experienced a high number of duplications, creating a larger work load on
clerk's offices and prolonging the time it takes to select a jury.   
 Section 62.001(i) of the Government Code allows only counties with
populations of 105,000 or less with the largest municipality in more than
one county to contract with entities other than the Secretary of State's
office for the purpose of merging drivers' license and voter registration
lists.   


PURPOSE

 HB 2156 would remove the bracket requirement so other counties could
contract with outside entities for the purpose of merging drivers' license
and voter registration lists for jury selection. 


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 62.001(i), Government Code by deleting the
population and intercounty municipality threshold to allow commissioners
courts to contract with another governmental unit or a private person to
combine the voter registration list with the list furnished by the
Department of Public Safety.  

 SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.  Effective date.