BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         H.B. 637
                                           By: Dutton (Henderson)
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                          4-27-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

The failure of some court reporters to repay loans from the Texas
Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation has resulted in additional
efforts by the state to collect those loan deficiencies.  The Texas
Supreme Court and the Court Reporters Certification Board can
assist in these efforts as well as in efforts to improve the
profession through establishing a program for continuing education.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 637 sets forth regulations relating to the
nonrenewal of the certification of a court reporter who is in
default on a certain loan and to continuing professional education
programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the Court Reporters Certification Board in SECTION 1 (Section
52.029(e), Government Code) and in SECTION 3 (Sections 52.015(a)
and (c), Government Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 52.029, Government Code, by adding
Subsection (e) to authorize the supreme court to authorize and the
Court Reporters Certification Board (board) to adopt rules relating
to the nonrenewal of the certification of a reporter who is in
default on a loan guaranteed under Chapter 57, Education Code, by
the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 52.013(b), Government Code, to authorize
the board to approve continuing professional education courses for
persons certified as court reporters.

SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 52B, Government Code, by adding Section
52.015, as follows:

     Sec. 52.015.  CONTINUING EDUCATION.  (a) Authorizes the
     supreme court to authorize and the board, by rule, to require
     continuing professional education for persons certified as
     court reporters.
     
     (b) Authorizes the rules for continuing professional
       education to include certain standards.
       
       (c) Authorizes the board, by rule, to exempt certain persons
       from the continuing education requirements.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.