By:  Ellis                                            S.C.R. No. 23
                            SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Office of Court Administration operates under
 1-2     the direction of the Texas Supreme Court to provide administrative,
 1-3     technical, and research assistance to all Texas courts and to
 1-4     develop and implement court guidelines and rules of procedure that
 1-5     foster an effective and efficient judicial system; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Texas court rules currently allow courts to have
 1-7     their proceedings recorded and broadcast under certain
 1-8     circumstances; with the exception of the Eighth Court of Appeals,
 1-9     however, no court in the Texas judicial system has made explicit
1-10     provision for media coverage of court proceedings; and
1-11           WHEREAS, The Eighth Court of Appeals' local rules provide
1-12     specific guidelines for media agencies making pool arrangements to
1-13     avoid disruption of proceedings by an excessive number of cameras
1-14     in the courtroom; similar guidelines could help other Texas courts
1-15     operate more effectively and efficiently, and development of a
1-16     uniform set of guidelines would ensure consistency in court
1-17     interactions with the public media throughout the state; and
1-18           WHEREAS, In accordance with its powers and duties, the Office
1-19     of Court Administration, whose responsibilities include research
1-20     functions to further the establishment of innovative court programs
1-21     and technology systems that promote efficient judicial
1-22     administration, should undertake a study of media pooling
1-23     arrangements for courtroom coverage and develop the appropriate
1-24     guidelines for such arrangements; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Aspects of courtroom media coverage that warrant
 2-2     study include the use of media pooling agreements by broadcast news
 2-3     organizations for the mutual sharing of audio and  visual
 2-4     recordings; notice to the court for the use, operation, and
 2-5     placement of media equipment; the conduct of media personnel; and
 2-6     criteria for the restriction of media coverage in cases involving
 2-7     juveniles and other cases considered sensitive; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, In the interest of justice, media coverage
 2-9     guidelines regarding the photographing, broadcasting, or recording
2-10     of courtroom proceedings should not affect the court's power to
2-11     control and administer access by the media to the courtroom; now,
2-12     therefore, be it
2-13           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-14     hereby direct the Office of Court Administration to study and
2-15     develop uniform guidelines for media pooling agreements for
2-16     courtroom coverage; and, be it further
2-17           RESOLVED, That the Office of Court Administration solicit and
2-18     consider the opinions and advice of the judiciary in developing the
2-19     uniform guidelines; and, be it further
2-20           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
2-21     copy of this resolution to the executive assistant of the Office of
2-22     Court Administration.