H.B. 146 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 146 By: Solomons Elections Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, a citizen may be summoned for jury selection in a justice, county, or district court during the general election day in November. Recent events have shown the importance of ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast a ballot and to have their vote counted in each county, state, and federal election. However, a citizen who has been summoned for jury selection on election day can be fined for non-appearance, which may prevent the individual from voting. House Bill 146 prohibits courts from summoning jurors for selection on the general election day. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 146 amends the Government Code to prohibit justice, county or district courts from summoning prospective jurors to appear for jury service on the date of the general election for state and county officers. The bill would not prohibit a jury in the process of a trial from meeting. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.