Landgraf’s bill on jury wheels in certain counties

The text as introduced · 794 words

By: Landgraf
H.B. No. 4749

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to reconstitution of the jury wheel and juror

qualifications in certain counties.

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

SECTION 1. Section 62.001, Government Code, is amended by

amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding Subsection (a-1)

to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the [ The ] jury

wheel must be reconstituted by using, as the source:

(1) the names of all persons on the current voter

registration lists from all the precincts in the county; and

(2) all names on a current list to be furnished by the

Department of Public Safety, showing the residents [ citizens ] of

the county who:

(A) hold a valid Texas driver's license or a

valid personal identification card or certificate issued by the

department; and

(B) are not disqualified from jury service under

Section 62.102(a)(1) [ 62.102(1) ], (2), or (8).

(a-1) In a county with a population of less than 25,000, the

jury wheel may be reconstituted by using, in addition to the sources

required under Subsection (a):

(1) the names of all persons on the current voter

registration lists from all the precincts in one or more counties

contiguous to the summoning county; and

(2) all names on a list required by Subsection (a)(1)

showing the residents of one or more counties contiguous to the

summoning county who:

(A) hold a valid Texas driver's license or a

valid personal identification card or certificate issued by the

Department of Public Safety;

(B) reside in a county within the same judicial

district as the summoning county; and

(C) are not disqualified from jury service under

Section 62.102(a)(1), (2), or (8).

(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (a-1) , the names of

persons listed on a register of persons exempt from jury service may

not be placed in the jury wheel, as provided by Sections 62.108,

62.109, 62.113, 62.114, and 62.115.

(d) The lists [ list ] required by Subsections [ Subsection ]

(a)(1) and (a-1)(1) must exclude the names of persons on the

suspense list maintained under Section 15.081, Election Code.

SECTION 2. Section 62.0132(g), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(g) The information contained in a completed questionnaire

may be disclosed to:

(1) a judge assigned to hear a cause of action in which

the respondent to the questionnaire is a potential juror;

(2) court personnel;

(3) a litigant and a litigant's attorney in a cause of

action in which the respondent to the questionnaire is a potential

juror; and

(4) other than information provided that is related to

Section 62.102(a)(8) [ 62.102(8) ] or (9), the voter registrar of a

county in connection with any matter of voter registration or the

administration of elections.

SECTION 3. Section 62.102, Government Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 62.102. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR JURY SERVICE. (a)

Except as provided by Subsection (b), a [ A ] person is disqualified

to serve as a petit juror unless the person:

(1) is at least 18 years of age;

(2) is a citizen of the United States;

(3) is a resident of this state and of the county in

which the person is to serve as a juror;

(4) is qualified under the constitution and laws to

vote in the county in which the person is to serve as a juror;

(5) is of sound mind and good moral character;

(6) is able to read and write;

(7) has not served as a petit juror for six days during

the preceding three months in the county court or during the

preceding six months in the district court;

(8) has not been convicted of misdemeanor theft or a

felony; and

(9) is not under indictment or other legal accusation

for misdemeanor theft or a felony.

(b) A person is not disqualified under Subsections (a)(3)

and (4) to serve as a juror in a county with a population of less

than 25,000 if that person is:

(1) a resident of a county contiguous to the summoning

county;

(2) a resident of a county within the same judicial

district as the summoning county; and

(3) qualified under the constitution and laws to vote

in the contiguous county.

SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to the qualifications of a person summoned for jury service on or

after the effective date of this Act. The qualifications of a

person summoned for jury service before the effective date of this

Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the summons was

made, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.