By: Creighton S.B. No. 2020
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to voter information used for juror selections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 62.001(a), (c), (d), (e), and (g),
Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The jury wheel must be reconstituted by using, as the
source:
(1) the names of all persons on the current statewide
voter registration list maintained as required under Section
18.061, Election Code, [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(1), (3) [(2)], or (8) [(7)].
(c) Each year not later than the third Tuesday in November
or the date provided by Section 16.032, Election Code, for the
cancellation of voter registrations, whichever is earlier, the
voter registrar of each county shall ensure the statewide list
includes [furnish to the secretary of state a] current voter
registration information [list] from all the precincts in the
county that, except as provided by Subsection (d), includes:
(1) the complete name, mailing address, date of birth,
voter registration number, and precinct number for each voter;
(2) if available, the Texas driver's license number or
personal identification card or certificate number and social
security number for each voter; and
(3) any other information included on the voter
registration list of the county.
(d) The list required by Subsection (a)(1) must [(c) may]
exclude[, at the option of the voter registrar of each county,] the
names of persons on the suspense list maintained under Section
15.081, Election Code.
(e) The voter registrar shall furnish to the secretary of
state a list of people exempted under Subsection (b) [send a list of
the names of persons excluded to the secretary of state] with the
list required by Subsection (a)(1) [(c)].
(g) The secretary of state shall accept the lists furnished
as provided by Subsections (e) and [(c) through] (f). The secretary
of state shall combine the lists, eliminate duplicate names, and
send the combined list to each county on or before December 31 of
each year or as may be required under a plan developed in accordance
with Section 62.011. The district clerk or bailiff designated as
the officer in charge of the jury selection process for a county
that has adopted a plan under Section 62.011 shall give the
secretary of state notice not later than the 90th day before the
date the list is required. The list furnished the county [must be
in a format, electronic or printed copy, as requested by the county
and] must be certified by the secretary of state stating that the
list contains the names required by Subsections (e) and [(c)
through] (f), eliminating duplications. The secretary of state
shall furnish the electronic list free of charge.
SECTION 2. Section 62.011, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
follows:
(d) A state agency or the secretary of state may not charge a
fee for furnishing an electronic [a] list of names required by
Section 62.001.
(e) The commissioners court of a county that has adopted a
jury selection plan must file with the Office of Court
Administration of the Texas Judicial System a copy of the plan and
any modification to the plan.
SECTION 3. Section 62.113, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-1) and amending Subsection (e) to read as
follows:
(b-1) The list of persons excused or disqualified because of
citizenship as required by Subsection (b) may not be combined with
or submitted simultaneously with any other list required to be
submitted to the voter registrar of the county, including a list
submitted under Section 62.114.
(e) The information required to be filed with the secretary
of state under this section must be filed electronically in the
format prescribed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state
may waive this requirement on application for a waiver submitted by
the clerk.
SECTION 4. Section 62.114, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) The list compiled under this section of persons excused
or disqualified because the person is not a resident of the county
may not be combined with or submitted simultaneously with any other
list required to be submitted to the voter registrar of the county,
including a list submitted under Section 62.113.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.