By Keel                                                H.B. No. 842
         77R4157 JMG-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the authority of less than the whole number of a jury
 1-3     to render a verdict in a felony case when a juror dies or becomes
 1-4     disabled.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1. Article 36.29, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
 1-7     amended by amending  the heading to read as follows:
 1-8           Art. 36.29.  IF A JUROR DIES OR BECOMES DISABLED [ILL].
 1-9           SECTION 2. Article 36.29(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
1-10     amended to read as follows:
1-11           (a)  Not less than twelve jurors can render and return a
1-12     verdict in a felony case.  It must be concurred in by each juror
1-13     and signed by the foreman.  Except as provided in Subsection (b)
1-14     [of this section], however, after [when pending] the trial of any
1-15     felony case begins and a[, one] juror dies [may die] or, as
1-16     determined by the judge, becomes [be] disabled from sitting at any
1-17     time before the charge of the court is read to the jury, the
1-18     remainder of the jury shall have the power to render the verdict;
1-19     but when the verdict shall be rendered by less than the whole
1-20     number, it shall be signed by every member of the jury concurring
1-21     in it.
1-22           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.