H.B. 1729 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1729
By: Merritt
Judicial Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The general law for municipal courts of record in Texas is that
municipalities 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.  This results in unnecessary expense to the city.  H.B. 1729
allows the City of Longview to follow the general rule permitting the use
of electronic recording devices in its municipal court of record. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1729 amends the Government Code to permit the municipal court of
record for City of Longview to record its proceedings by a good quality
electronic recording device under certain conditions. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect on September 1, 2003.