BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1226

By: Herrero

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that certain firefighters and police officers should be eligible for an exemption from jury service due to their occupation. H.B. 1226 seeks to authorize such persons to establish this exemption.

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

H.B. 1226 amends the Government Code to authorize a person qualified to serve as a petit juror to establish an exemption from jury service if the person is 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 or if the person is 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, 2017.