BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2015

By: Leach

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that Texas raise the minimum age for a permanent jury exemption. Current law provides for 10 exemptions from jury service and under one of these exemptions, those 70 years of age or older may apply for a permanent exemption and no longer be called for service. H.B. 2015 seeks to bring this age-based exemption in line with the mandatory retirement age for Texas judges and justices, which is 75 years of age, by raising from 70 to 75 years the age at which one qualifies for such an exemption. This will correspondingly raise the age at which a Texas citizen may seek a permanent exemption from jury duty.

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. 2015 amends the Government Code to raise from 70 to 75 the age at which a person qualifies for an exemption from jury service on the basis of age and the age at which a person may claim a permanent exemption from jury service. The bill's provisions apply only to an exemption from jury service for a person who is summoned to appear for service on or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.