SRC-SLL S.B. 456 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 456
By: Duncan
Jurisprudence
2-17-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law requires the jury wheel to be reconstituted using the
names of registered voters and holders of driver's licenses or personal
identification cards.  When the law which expanded the pool to include
anyone holding a current Texas driver's license was passed, the intent was
to make the jury selection process more inclusive.  However, it has led to
administrative problems.  Officials have reported increases in the number
of exemptions, disqualifications and those failing to report for jury duty
at all.  With the adoption of the Motor Voter Act, which requires that a
voter registration card be distributed to each individual seeking a
driver's license or driver's license renewal, more people are being
registered to vote in the state, thus diminishing the necessity to utilize
driver's license records for reconstitution purposes.  This bill will
require the jury wheel to be reconstituted using the names of registered
voters and will require certain individuals to meet to reconstitute the
jury wheel for a county. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 456 requires the jury wheel to be reconstituted using
the names of registered voters and requires certain individuals to meet to
reconstitute the jury wheel for a county. 

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 (c), Government Code, to delete
the requirement that the jury wheel be reconstituted by using as the
source a list of citizens of the county who hold a valid driver's license
or personal identification card or certificate.  Requires the county tax
assessorcollector, sheriff, county clerk, and district clerk in each
county to meet at the county courthouse and to reconstitute the jury wheel
for the county.  Authorizes each official to be represented by a deputy.
Deletes the provision requiring the voter registrar of each county to
furnish the secretary of state a current voter registration list for the
county. 

SECTION 2.  Repealer: Sections 62.001(d)-(i), Government Code (Jury
Source; Reconstitution of Jury Wheel). 

SECTION 3. Repealer: Section 62.011(d), Government Code (Electronic or
Mechanical Method of Selection). 

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.