SRC-AXB S.B. 1167 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1167 76R7809 JMC-DBy: Wentworth Jurisprudence 4/22/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, a shorthand operator who takes testimony notes and produces a record, is the official court reporter in a court. S.B. 1167 authorizes the use of an electronic recording device instead of a shorthand reporter as the official court reporting method. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1167 authorizes the use of recording devices to preserve court proceedings. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 52.001(3), Government Code, to redefine "official court reporter." SECTION 2. Amends Section 52.021(a), Government Code, to prohibit appointments as official court reporter or a deputy court reporter by the supreme court unless a person is competent to perform electronic recording operator duties. SECTION 3. Amends Section 52.046, Government Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e). Requires a court reporter to make a record, rather than take full shorthand notes, of oral testimony, and to preserve a record, rather than the notes, for future reference. Authorizes a trial judge to authorize a court reporter to use electronic recording equipment. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 4. Amends Section 52.047(a), (d), and (f), Government Code, to specify that certain services may be provided by, and charges filed by, an official court shorthand reporter. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1999.