BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 234

79R2585 YDB-F                                                                                                                By: Harris

                                                                                                                                      Jurisprudence

2/7/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current statutes governing the appointment of bailiffs for grand juries in Tarrant County limit the total number to two.  Tarrant County has two grand juries presently with one bailiff assigned to each grand jury.  With increasing case loads, the creation of a third grand jury is something that is being seriously considered.  However, under current statues an additional grand jury bailiff could not be appointed to serve that grand jury.  S.B. 234 removes the reference to the total number of grand jury bailiffs allowed in Tarrant County and would allow for the appointment of additional grand jury bailiffs if additional grand juries are created.  There is also a reference to the board of district judges who appoints the grand jury bailiffs.  There is no such board and that reference is deleted in S.B. 234.

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 Section 53.002(g), Government Code, to delete existing text requiring that the total number of grand jury bailiffs in Tarrant County not exceed two.  Makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.