SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Office of Court Administration operates under
the direction of the Texas Supreme Court to provide administrative, technical, and research assistance to all Texas courts and to develop and implement court guidelines and rules of procedure that
foster an effective and efficient judicial system; and
WHEREAS, Texas court rules currently allow courts to have
their proceedings recorded and broadcast under certain circumstances; with the exception of the Eighth Court of Appeals, however, no court in the Texas judicial system has made explicit
provision for media coverage of court proceedings; and
WHEREAS, The Eighth Court of Appeals' local rules provide specific guidelines for media agencies making pool arrangements to
avoid disruption of proceedings by an excessive number of cameras in the courtroom; similar guidelines could help other Texas courts operate more effectively and efficiently, and development of a
uniform set of guidelines would ensure consistency in court interactions with the public media throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, In accordance with its powers and duties, the Office
of Court Administration, whose responsibilities include research functions to further the establishment of innovative court programs
and technology systems that promote efficient judicial administration, should undertake a study of media pooling
arrangements for courtroom coverage and develop the appropriate
guidelines for such arrangements; and
WHEREAS, Aspects of courtroom media coverage that warrant
study include the use of media pooling agreements by broadcast news organizations for the mutual sharing of audio and visual
recordings; notice to the court for the use, operation, and placement of media equipment; the conduct of media personnel; and
criteria for the restriction of media coverage in cases involving
juveniles and other cases considered sensitive; and
WHEREAS, In the interest of justice, media coverage guidelines regarding the photographing, broadcasting, or recording
of courtroom proceedings should not affect the court's power to control and administer access by the media to the courtroom; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby direct the Office of Court Administration to study and develop uniform guidelines for media pooling agreements for
courtroom coverage; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Office of Court Administration solicit and
consider the opinions and advice of the judiciary in developing the uniform guidelines; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
copy of this resolution to the executive assistant of the Office of Court Administration.
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 23 was adopted by the Senate on March 11, 1999.
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 23 was adopted by the House on March 11, 1999.
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
Date
Governor