1-1     By:  Ellis                                            S.C.R. No. 23
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed February 2, 1999; February 3, 1999,
 1-3     read first time and referred to Committee on Jurisprudence;
 1-4     February 24, 1999, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas
 1-5     4, Nays 0; February 24, 1999, sent to printer.)
 1-6                        SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-7           WHEREAS, The Office of Court Administration operates under
 1-8     the direction of the Texas Supreme Court to provide administrative,
 1-9     technical, and research assistance to all Texas courts and to
1-10     develop and implement court guidelines and rules of procedure that
1-11     foster an effective and efficient judicial system; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Texas court rules currently allow courts to have
1-13     their proceedings recorded and broadcast under certain
1-14     circumstances; with the exception of the Eighth Court of Appeals,
1-15     however, no court in the Texas judicial system has made explicit
1-16     provision for media coverage of court proceedings; and
1-17           WHEREAS, The Eighth Court of Appeals' local rules provide
1-18     specific guidelines for media agencies making pool arrangements to
1-19     avoid disruption of proceedings by an excessive number of cameras
1-20     in the courtroom; similar guidelines could help other Texas courts
1-21     operate more effectively and efficiently, and development of a
1-22     uniform set of guidelines would ensure consistency in court
1-23     interactions with the public media throughout the state; and
1-24           WHEREAS, In accordance with its powers and duties, the Office
1-25     of Court Administration, whose responsibilities include research
1-26     functions to further the establishment of innovative court programs
1-27     and technology systems that promote efficient judicial
1-28     administration, should undertake a study of media pooling
1-29     arrangements for courtroom coverage and develop the appropriate
1-30     guidelines for such arrangements; and
1-31           WHEREAS, Aspects of courtroom media coverage that warrant
1-32     study include the use of media pooling agreements by broadcast news
1-33     organizations for the mutual sharing of audio and  visual
1-34     recordings; notice to the court for the use, operation, and
1-35     placement of media equipment; the conduct of media personnel; and
1-36     criteria for the restriction of media coverage in cases involving
1-37     juveniles and other cases considered sensitive; and
1-38           WHEREAS, In the interest of justice, media coverage
1-39     guidelines regarding the photographing, broadcasting, or recording
1-40     of courtroom proceedings should not affect the court's power to
1-41     control and administer access by the media to the courtroom; now,
1-42     therefore, be it
1-43           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
1-44     hereby direct the Office of Court Administration to study and
1-45     develop uniform guidelines for media pooling agreements for
1-46     courtroom coverage; and, be it further
1-47           RESOLVED, That the Office of Court Administration solicit and
1-48     consider the opinions and advice of the judiciary in developing the
1-49     uniform guidelines; and, be it further
1-50           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
1-51     copy of this resolution to the executive assistant of the Office of
1-52     Court Administration.
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