SRC-JBJ H.B. 3203 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3203
77R11674 KLA-FBy: Jones, Jesse (West, Royce)
Jurisprudence
5/10/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current Texas law, a potential juror's name may not be struck from
the jury wheel if the summons is returned as undeliverable.  Current law
also does not allow the jury wheel to be updated if the summons is returned
with a change of address notification attached.  H.B. 3203 authorizes the
county or district court to update the jury wheel with the potential
juror's forwarding address if that address accompanies the returned jury
summons and requires the county or district clerk to update jury wheel
cards to reflect addresses that have been changed. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 62.001, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(k), to require the county or district clerk, in reconstituting the jury
wheel, to update jury wheel cards to reflect addresses that have been
changed as provided by Section 62.0146. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 62.0145, Government Code, to add a certain
exception. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Chapter 62A, Government Code, by adding Section 62.0146,
as follows: 

Sec. 62.0146.  UPDATING ADDRESSES OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN POOL OF PROSPECTIVE
JURORS.  Authorizes the county or district clerk, if a written summons for
jury service sent by a sheriff, constable, or bailiff is returned with a
notation from the United States Postal Service of a change of address for
the person summoned, to update the jury wheel card to reflect the person's
new address. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.