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.