SRC-JLB C.S.S.B. 1011 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1011 78R14151 GWK-DBy: West Jurisprudence 5/1/2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE C.S.S.B. 1011 provides that the attorney representing the state and the attorney representing the defendant are entitled to conduct a meaningful voir dire examination but does not restrict a judge's authority to limit the duration of a voir dire examination to a reasonable period. 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 Article 35.17, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Sections 3 and 4, as follows: Section 3. Provides that the attorney representing the state and the attorney representing the defendant are entitled to conduct a meaningful voir dire examination. Provides that a question asked during the voir dire examination is proper if the question attempts to discover the views of a prospective juror on an issue that is applicable to the case. Provides that a question asked during the voir dire examination is not proper if the question attempts to commit a prospective juror to reaching a verdict based on particular facts. Authorizes a judge, on proper objection, to restrict counsel from engaging in questioning that is overly broad or vague. Section 4. Provides that this article is not intended to restrict a judge's authority to limit the duration of a voir dire examination to a reasonable period. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.