Bill Text: TX SB85 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relating to the duties of the county tax assessor-collector and voter registrar regarding exemptions from jury service.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-05-09 - Effective on 9/1/11 [SB85 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB85-Enrolled.html

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S.B. No. 85

AN ACT
relating to the duties of the county tax assessor-collector and
voter registrar regarding exemptions from jury service.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subsections (b) and (c), Section 62.107,
Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
(b) A person may also claim an exemption from jury service
under Section 62.106 by filing with the sheriff, voter registrar
[tax assessor-collector], or district or county clerk of the county
of the person's [his] residence a sworn statement that sets forth
the ground of and claims the exemption. The name of a person who
claims an [his] exemption by filing the sworn statement may not be
placed in the jury wheel for the ensuing year.
(c) A person who files a statement with a clerk of the court,
as provided by Subsection (a), claiming an exemption because the
person is over 70 years of age, may also claim the permanent
exemption on that ground authorized by Section 62.108 by including
in the statement filed with the clerk a declaration that the person
desires the permanent exemption. Promptly after a statement
claiming a permanent exemption on the basis of age is filed, the
clerk of the court with whom it is filed shall have a copy delivered
to the voter registrar of the county [tax assessor-collector].
SECTION 2. Subsections (b), (c), and (e), Section 62.108,
Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
(b) A person may claim a permanent exemption:
(1) by filing with the voter registrar of the county
[tax assessor-collector], by mail or personal delivery, a signed
statement affirming that the person is over 70 years of age and
desires a permanent exemption on that ground; or
(2) in the manner provided by Section 62.107(c).
(c) The voter registrar of the county [tax
assessor-collector] shall maintain a current register indicating
the name of each person who has claimed and is entitled to a
permanent exemption from jury service because the person is over 70
years of age.
(e) A person who has claimed a permanent exemption from jury
service because the person is over 70 years of age may rescind the
exemption at any time by filing a signed request for the rescission
with the voter registrar of the county [tax assessor-collector].
Rescission of a permanent exemption does not affect the right of a
person who is over 70 years of age to claim permanent exemption at a
later time.
SECTION 3. Subsections (c) and (e), Section 62.109,
Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
(c) The clerk of the district court shall promptly notify
the voter registrar of the county [tax assessor-collector] of the
name and address of each person exempted and state whether the
exemption is permanent or for a specified period. The voter
registrar [tax assessor-collector] shall maintain a current
register showing separately the name and address of each person
permanently exempt from jury service under this section and the
name and address of each person exempt from jury service under this
section for a specified period.
(e) A person exempt from jury service under this section may
rescind the exemption at any time by filing a signed request for the
rescission with the voter registrar of the county [tax
assessor-collector].
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a person claiming an exemption from jury service or rescinding an
exemption from jury service on or after the effective date of this
Act. A person claiming an exemption from jury service or rescinding
an exemption from jury service before the effective date of this Act
is governed by the law in effect on the date the person claims or
rescinds the exemption, and the former law is continued in effect
for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 85 passed the Senate on
March 17, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 85 passed the House on
April 20, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, one
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor