LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 11, 2009

TO:	Honorable Todd Hunter, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB501 by Bonnen (Relating to a person's ability to read and write in English as a qualification for service as a petit juror.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to specify that a potential juror would be disqualified to serve as a juror unless they could read and write English. A court could suspend this qualification if it appears to the court that the requisite number of such jurors cannot be found in the county.

In requiring the ability to read and write English, the statute that currently allows a person to seek an exemption from serving because of the inability to comprehend or communicate in English would be removed and the section of statute that requires an affidavit when that exemption is sought would be repealed.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated from changes in procedures and printed materials.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, TP, DB