By: Huffines S.B. No. 259

(In the Senate - Filed November 29, 2016; January 30, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; March 22, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 22, 2017, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 259 By: Zaffirini

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to jury summons questionnaires.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 62.0132(b) and (d), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) A written jury summons must include:

(1) a copy of the questionnaire developed under this section; or

(2) the electronic address of the court's Internet website from which the questionnaire developed under this section may be easily printed.

(d) Except as provided by this subsection, a [A] person who has received a written jury summons [and a written jury summons questionnaire] shall complete and submit a jury summons [the] questionnaire when the person reports for jury duty. If the district and criminal district judges of a county adopt a plan for an electronic jury selection method under Section 62.011, the county may allow a person to complete and submit a jury summons questionnaire on the court's Internet website as authorized under Section 62.0111(b)(5).

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act to Section 62.0132, Government Code, applies only to a written jury summons sent on or after the effective date of this Act. A written jury summons sent before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

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