S.B. No. 1888 proposes amendments to the qualifications for serving as a grand juror and petit juror in counties with populations of less than 1,000. The bill introduces new provisions that allow individuals who are residents of contiguous counties within the same judicial district to serve as jurors, even if they do not reside in the summoning county, provided they meet certain qualifications. Specifically, it states that a person is not disqualified from serving as a grand juror if they are a resident of a contiguous county and are qualified to vote in that county. Additionally, the bill allows for the jury wheel to be reconstituted using names from contiguous counties, expanding the pool of potential jurors.

The bill also amends existing legal language regarding the qualifications for jury service, including the reconstitution of the jury wheel and the criteria for disqualification. It clarifies that individuals who hold a valid Texas driver's license or personal identification card and are not disqualified under specific criteria can be included in the jury selection process. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to individuals summoned for jury service on or after that date, maintaining the previous qualifications for those summoned before the effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 62.001, Government Code 15.081, Government Code 62.102 (Government Code 15, Government Code 62)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 62.001, Government Code 15.081, Government Code 62.102 (Government Code 15, Government Code 62)