By: Cain S.B. No. 1863 Line and page numbers may not match official copy. Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT 1-1 relating to voir dire requirements in civil actions. 1-2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-3 SECTION 1. Chapter 30, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is 1-4 amended by adding Section 30.006 to read as follows: 1-5 Section 30.006. VOIR DIRE REQUIREMENTS. (a) In this 1-6 section,"side" has the same meaning as in Rule 233, Texas Rules of 1-7 Civil Procedure, or its successor. 1-8 (b) In any civil action to be tried before a jury, the trial 1-9 court shall allow each side voir dire, as follows: 1-10 (1) In Level One cases, as defined by Rule 190.2, 1-11 TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, at least one hour; 1-12 (2) In Level Two cases, as defined by Rule 190.3, 1-13 TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, at least two hours; and 1-14 (3) In Level Three cases, as defined by Rule 190.4, 1-15 TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, at least three hours. 1-16 (c) The time allocated in Subsection (a) shall not include 1-17 time consumed in making preemptory challenges or challenges for 1-18 cause to jurors or in making or responding to objections. 1-19 (d) The Supreme Court may adopt rules consistent with the 1-20 provisions of this Act. To the extent that any rule conflicts with 1-21 the provisions of this Act, this Act controls. 1-22 (e) Section 22.004, Government Code, does not apply to this 2-1 section. 2-2 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-3 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-4 imperative public necessity that the constitutional rule requiring 2-5 bills to be read on three several days is hereby suspended, and 2-6 that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-7 passage, and it is so enacted.