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.