BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 85
	By: Nelson
	State Affairs
	7/15/2011
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

This legislation transfers the responsibility for maintaining a list of permanent jury duty exemptions from the tax assessor to the voter registrar.  Section 62.107 (Procedures For Establishing Exemptions), Government Code, requires the tax assessor/collector to maintain a file of permanent exemptions from jury duty, but the same section requires the voter registrar to submit that list to the secretary of state.  This bill more properly aligns the responsibility with one county officer.

S.B. 85 amends current law relating to the duties of the county tax assessor-collector and voter registrar regarding exemptions from jury service.

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 Sections 62.017(b) and (c), Government Code, as follows: 

(b) Authorizes a person to also claim an exemption from jury service under Section 62.106 (Exemption From Jury Service) by filing with the sheriff, voter registrar, rather than tax assessor-collector, or district or county clerk of the county of the person's, rather than his, residence a sworn statement that sets forth the ground of and claims the exemption.  Prohibits the name of a person who claims an, rather than his, exemption by filing the sworn statement from being placed in the jury wheel for the ensuing year.

(c) Makes a conforming change.

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 62.108(b), (c), and (e), Government Code, to make conforming changes.

SECTION 3.  Amends Sections 62.109(c) and (e), Government Code, to make conforming changes.

SECTION 4.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.