SRC-AXB S.B. 1366 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1366
76R6707  DB-FBy: Harris
Jurisprudence
4/9/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, court reporting firms owned by out-of-state interests or
non-court reporters are not subject to Texas' standards and Court Reporters
Certification Board sanctions.  S.B. 1366 expands the application of laws
and sets forth eligibility qualifications regulating court reporting firms. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1366 sets forth eligibility qualifications for shorthand
reporters and court reporting firms, and creates a registration fee. 

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 Sections 52.021(b), (h), and (i), Government Code, to
provide an exception as provided in Subsection (d).  Prohibits shorthand
reporting unless a person is an official court reporter of a court in
Texas, a self-employed freelance shorthand reporter, or an independent
contractor for or employed by a court reporting firm.  Requires a court
reporting firm to register with the Court Reporters Certification Board by
paying a maximum $5,000 fee.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.