Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2020 by Creighton (Relating to voter information used for juror selections.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code related to voter information used for juror selection. The bill would clarify the use of a single source for jury wheel reconstitutions to provide more accurate jury information and lists, and to update language when it comes to the flow of information to counties to reflect current practices. The bill would require counties to file their respective jury plan with the Office of Court Administration and to update with modifications. The bill would also require clerks of the court to submit their respective list of noncitizens to the secretary of state for maintaining statewide voter registration listing.
The list of persons excused or disqualified may not be combined with or submitted simultaneously with any other list required to be submitted to the voter registrar of the county.
It is assumed that state agencies would be able to carry out the provisions of the bill with existing resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
Potter County, Fort Bend County, Chambers County and Hunt County anticipate no fiscal impact from the bill. Tom Green County does not anticipate a significant cost but thinks there could be some cost from applications not separating jury information by specific disqualifications.