BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1090

By: Herrero

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that state law does not allow for an exemption from jury service based on an individual's employment as a firefighter or police officer, although some of these public servants have pointed out that they are rarely chosen to be on a jury because of their occupation. The parties suggest that making these public servants eligible for an exemption from jury service would provide them with the option to either serve or claim the exemption at their discretion. C.S.H.B. 1090 seeks to provide for this option.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1090 amends the Government Code to extend the exemption from serving as a petit juror to a firefighter, including a fire chief, who is a permanent, paid employee of the fire department of a municipality or county or of a special district or authority that provides firefighting services and to a police officer, including a police chief, who is a permanent, paid employee of the police department of a municipality or county.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1090 differs from the original only by amending the caption.