SRC-AXB H.B. 1754 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1754
76R4465  DB-FBy: Hill (Carona)
Jurisprudence
5/13/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, persons summoned to jury duty are not authorized to report
directly to a justice of the peace court close to their home. H.B. 1754
authorizes certain counties to summon prospective jurors directly to a
justice of the peace court in the precinct in which the person resides.
This bill also requires that justices of the peace  hear the excuses of the
prospective jurors reporting directly to the court. Additionally, this bill
authorizes the justice of the peace to order the sheriff or constable to
summon additional jurors, if necessary. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1754 authorizes certain counties to summon prospective
jurors directly to a justice of the peace court in the precinct in which
the person resides.  This bill also requires that justices of the peace
hear the excuses of the prospective jurors reporting directly to the court.
Additionally, this bill authorizes the justice of the peace to order the
sheriff or constable to summon additional jurors, if necessary. 

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 Section 62.016(e), Government Code, to authorize a county
to summon jurors chosen for service under this section (Interchangeable
Juries in Certain Counties) to the justice court in the manner prescribed
by Section 62.412.  

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 62, Government Code, by adding
Section 62.412, as follows:  

Sec. 62.412. SUMMONING PROSPECTIVE JURORS DIRECTLY TO JUSTICE COURT.
Authorizes a county that uses interchangeable juries under Section 62.016
to summon a prospective juror to report directly to a justice court in the
precinct in which that person resides. Requires the justice of the peace of
the justice court to which prospective jurors are summoned for jury service
under this section to hear the excuses of the prospective jurors and swear
them in for jury service. Authorizes a justice of the peace to command the
sheriff or constable to immediately summon additional persons for jury
service in the justice court, if the number of qualified jurors, including
persons summoned under Section 62.016, is less than the number necessary
for the justice court to conduct its proceedings.  

SECTION 3. Emergency clause. 
  Effective date: upon passage.