BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 5110

By: Bhojani

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

All Texans have the duty to serve as jurors and undergo jury duty. Disqualifying a person from service on a jury based on their beliefs or identities is not appropriate. C.S.H.B. 5110 seeks to decrease any unequal treatment of potential jurors by prohibiting a person from being disqualified to serve on a jury based on their age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, economic status, religious affiliation, or political belief.

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

C.S.H.B. 5110 amends the Government Code to prohibit a person from being disqualified to serve as a juror based on their age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, economic status, religious affiliation, or political belief.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 5110 differs from the introduced only by including a Texas Legislative Council draft number in the footer.