SRC-AXB C.S.S.B. 1366 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1366 76R11342 DB-DBy: Harris Jurisprudence 4/14/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) 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. C.S.S.B. 1366 expands the application of laws and sets forth eligibility qualifications regulating court reporting firms. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1366 sets forth eligibility qualifications for shorthand reporters and court reporting firms, and creates a registration and enforcement 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 Section 52.021, Government Code, by amending the heading and Subsections (b), (h), and (i), and adding Subsection (j), as follows: Sec. 52.021. New heading: CERTIFICATION; ENFORCEMENT. Provides an exception as provided in Subsection (d). Prohibits shorthand reporting unless a person is an official court reporter or deputy 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 (board) by paying a reasonable fee. Authorizes the board to assess a maximum $5,000 fee against a court reporter or a court reporting firm to enforce this chapter. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Relating clause. Amends the relating clause to clarify that this Act relates to court reporting, rather than court reporting firms. SECTION 1. Amends Section 52.021, Government Code, to create a new heading, add text regarding a deputy court reporter, and make nonsubstantive and conforming changes. SECTIONS 3-4. Redesignates existing SECTION 3 as SECTION 4, and makes application of this Act prospective.