SRC-JLB H.B. 1729 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1729 78R2917 KLA-DBy: Merritt (Ratliff) Intergovernmental Relations 5/7/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE The general law for municipal courts of record in Texas is that the municipality must provide a court reporter to preserve the record in cases tried before a municipal court of record. This general rule, however, does provide that a good quality electronic recording device may be used instead of a court reporter in certain circumstances. Currently, the statutory section specific to the municipal court of record for the City of Longview does not allow the use of an electronic recording device. H.B. 1729 allows the City of Longview to use electronic recording devices in its municipal court of record. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 30.00536, Government Code, as follows: Sec. 30.00536. COURT REPORTER. Requires the municipal judge to appoint the court reporter under Section 30.00010. Deletes text regarding Section 30.00010(d) not applying to this subchapter. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.