SRC-VRA H.B. 2188 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2188 78R10233 SLO-FBy: Rodriguez (Wentworth) Jurisprudence 5/9/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE In March 2002, Travis County implemented the I-Jury pilot program. Under I-Jury, a summoned juror can use a secure web site to complete a form that captures all of the information necessary to qualify the juror, screen for excuses, request scheduling accommodations, and complete the standard juror questionnaire. Those using I-Jury are contacted by email with a specific reporting date and court, and in the event a trial is cancelled, the jurors are released from service without having to appear. The I-Jury program has saved Travis County over $100,000 since its inception, because the county is not obligated to pay jurors who do not appear. H.B. 2188 will permit, but not require, any county in Texas to set up a system similar to I-Jury. 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 Subchapter A, Chapter 62, Government Code, by adding Section 62.0111, as follows: Sec. 62.0111. COMPUTER OR TELEPHONE RESPONSE TO SUMMONS. (a) Authorizes a plan authorized under Section 62.011 for the selection of names of prospective jurors to allow for a prospective juror to appear by certain means in response to a summons. (b) Authorizes a plan adopted under Subsection (a) to allow for a prospective juror to provide information to the county officer responsible for summoning jurors or for the county officer to provide information to the prospective juror by computer or automated telephone system, including certain information. (c) Requires the county officer responsible for summoning jurors to purge the electronic mail address of a prospective juror collected under Subsection (b) if certain conditions are met. (d) Provides that to the extent practicable, the ratio of prospective jurors assigned to a particular jury panel who appear in response to a summons by contacting the county officer responsible for summoning jurors by computer or calling an automated telephone system to prospective jurors who appear in person must equal the ratio of all prospective jurors assigned to a jury panel at the same time who appear by computer or automated telephone system to prospective jurors who appear in person. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.