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.