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.