BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 354

By: Herrero

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that while police officers and firefighters are rarely selected for jury service due to their occupations, the time spent in the jury selection process takes them away from their jobs protecting the community. H.B. 354 seeks to address this issue by providing for an exemption from jury service for certain firefighters and police officers.

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. 354 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 a municipal or county police department.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.