SRC-HRD S.B. 231 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 231 By: Carona Jurisprudence 1-29-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law does not prohibit the inclusion of the name of the convicted felon in a jury wheel. Current law also does not prohibit the inclusion of the name of a person whose legal residence is outside of the county. In addition, current law regarding disqualification only applies to a citizen who holds a valid identification card or certificate, and not a driver's license holder. This bill prohibits the constitution of a jury wheel with a name of an out-of-county resident or convicted felon. This bill applies disqualification law to the holder of a driver's license as well to a holder of an identification card or certificate. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 231 requires, for the reconstitution of the jury wheel, disqualification law to apply to holders of valid Texas driver's licenses as well as to holders of identification cards and certificates. The bill also prohibits the names of convicted felons and persons residing outside the county from being included in the jury wheel. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Sections 62.001(a) and (f), Government Code, to require the jury wheel to be reconstituted by using, as the source, the names of all persons on the current voter registration lists from all precincts of the county and all names on a current list to be furnished by the Department of Public Safety (department), showing the citizens of the county who hold a valid Texas driver's license or a valid personal identification card or certificate issued by the department, and who are not disqualified from jury service under Section 62.102(1), (2), or (7). Deletes text requiring the current list to show the names of citizens of the county, other than person who are disqualified from jury service, to hold personal identification cards. Requires the department to furnish a list to the secretary of state that shows county of residence for the persons listed. Requires the list to exclude the names of convicted felons and persons residing outside the county. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.