SRC-JLB S.B. 1458 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1458
78R7453 QS-FBy: Lindsay
Jurisprudence
4/14/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Harris County jurors are paid the statutory minimum $6 per day
for the first two days of jury service and $12.50 for every day
thereafter, which has been in effect for more than ten years.  With state
and local funding sources in short supply, a new revenue stream is needed
to fund parking, lunches and increased pay for jurors in Harris County.
As proposed, S.B. 1458 requires the clerk of each district court, county
court, and county court at law in Harris County to collect a fee of $10
for each petition, cross-claim, counterclaim, intervention, interpleader,
or contempt action filed in a civil case and requires the clerk of each
justice court in Harris County to collect $3 for each petition,
cross-claim, counterclaim, intervention, interpleader, or contempt action
filed in a civil case. 

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 the heading to Chapter 61, Government Code, to read as
follows: 

CHAPTER 61.  JUROR REIMBURSEMENT

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 61, Government Code, by adding a heading for a
new Subchapter A of that chapter, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.  Provides that existing Sections 61.001, 61.002, and 61.003,
Government Code, are designated as part of the new Subchapter A of Chapter
61, Government Code. 
 
SECTION 4.  Amends Chapter 61, Government Code, by adding Subchapter B, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER B.  PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC COUNTIES

Sec. 61.051.  HARRIS COUNTY JUROR REIMBURSEMENT FEES.  (a)  Requires the
clerk of each district court, county court, and county court at law in
Harris County to collect a fee of $10 as a cost of court for each
petition, cross-claim, counterclaim, intervention, interpleader, or
contempt action filed in a civil case.  Requires the clerk of each justice
court in Harris County to collect a fee of $3 as a cost of court for each
petition, cross-claim, counterclaim, intervention, interpleader, or
contempt action filed in a civil case.  Requires a fee required under this
subsection to be collected at the time of filing.  Requires the fee to be
assessed separately for each defendant named in a crossclaim or
counterclaim. 
 
(b)  Requires a clerk required to collect a fee under Subsection (a) to
collect the fee in the manner provided for other court costs and to
deliver the fee to the treasurer, or the person who performs the duties of
the treasurer, of Harris County. Requires the county treasurer, or the
person who performs the duties of the county  treasurer, to deposit the
fees received in the juror reimbursement account in the general fund of
the county established by the county treasurer.  Authorizes money in the
account to be used only for certain purposes. 

SECTION 5.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 6.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.