89R9571 BCH-D
By: Sparks S.B. No. 1888
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; and
(B) 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; and
(2) 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.