AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In counties with at least nine district courts, a majority of the district judges may, with the approval of the commissioners court, appoint bailiffs to be in charge of the jury selection process in those courts. The statute regarding a county that uses an electronic jury selection system, however, references “the district clerk” as the officer in charge of the selection process. This bill would make clear that, in a county that appoints a bailiff to be in charge of jury selection, that bailiff may conduct electronic jury selection.
As proposed, S.B. 681 amends current law relating to a bailiff administering the selection of names of persons for 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 Section 62.001(g), Government Code, to require the district clerk or bailiff designated as the officer in charge of the jury selections process for a county that has adopted a plan under Section 62.011(Electronic or Mechanical Method of Selection) to give the secretary of state notice not later than the 90th day before the date the list is required. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 62.011(b), Government Code, as follows:
(b) Requires that a plan authorized by this section for the selection of names of prospective jurors must, among other requirements set forth in this subsection, designate the district clerk or a bailiff appointed as provided under Section 62.019 (Bailiffs for General Panels) as the officer in charge of the selection process and define the officer's duties. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 62.0145, Government Code, to authorize the district clerk or bailiff appointed as provided under Section 62.019 to remove the person's name from the record of names for selection of names for jury service under Section 62.011 if a written summons for jury service is undeliverable.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.