Bill > HB4749

This bill modifies jury selection procedures for counties with populations under 1,000, expanding the pool of potential jurors to include residents of contiguous counties within the same judicial district. Specifically, the bill allows these small counties to draw grand jurors and petit jurors from neighboring counties if they meet certain qualifications, such as having a valid Texas driver's license and not being disqualified from jury service. The bill changes how jury wheels (the lists from which potential jurors are selected) are constructed, now permitting the inclusion of voter registration lists and driver's license records from contiguous counties in the same judicial district. It also updates provisions related to jury service qualifications, such as age, citizenship, residency, and criminal history. Additionally, the bill modifies rules about who can summon prospective jurors and how jury questionnaire information can be disclosed. The changes are designed to help small, potentially rural counties with limited populations more easily form jury pools by drawing from a broader geographic area while maintaining core jury selection standards. The new provisions will apply to jury summonses issued on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4749