SRC-AXB S.C.R. 23 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.C.R. 23
76R5286  RVH-DBy: Ellis
Jurisprudence
2/18/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, court rules allow court proceedings to be recorded and broadcast
under certain conditions. However, only one court in Travis County, Texas,
has made explicit pool arrangement rules for media agencies to avoid
disruption by excessive broadcasting during proceedings.  Media pooling
agreements include the mutual sharing of audio and visual recordings by
news organizations, notice to the court regarding media equipment, conduct
of media personnel, and criteria for coverage restriction regarding
sensitive cases.  S.C.R. 23 would direct the Office of Court Administration
to study and develop uniform guidelines for media pooling agreements for
courtroom coverage throughout Texas. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.C.R. 23 submits the following resolutions:

That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas direct the Texas Office of
Court Administration (TOCA) to study and develop uniform guidelines for
media pooling agreements for courtroom coverage. 

That TOCA solicit and consider opinions and advice of the judiciary in
developing uniform guidelines. 

That the secretary of state forward an official copy of this resolution to
the executive assistant of TOCA.