78R6393 QS-D

By:  Thompson                                                     H.B. No. 1758



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to court reporters and shorthand reporting firms.                    
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 52, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 52.003 to read as follows:
	Sec. 52.003.  APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER.  This chapter does 
not apply to:
		(1)  a foreign shorthand reporter who is not certified 
in this state, including a foreign shorthand reporter who provides 
services outside this state for use in a court in this state through 
an entity in the business of providing court reporting or other 
related services that is registered in this state; or
		(2)  a foreign entity in the business of providing 
court reporting or other related services that is not registered in 
this state and does not provide those services in this state.
	SECTION 2.  Section 52.029, Government Code, is amended by 
adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:
	(f)  Nothing in Subsection (a)(9) shall be construed to 
define providing value-added business services, including 
long-term volume discounts, such as the pricing of products and 
services as prohibited gifts, incentives, or rewards.
	(g)  A court reporter is not subject to disciplinary action 
under this section for accepting compensation for providing court 
reporting services if the compensation is paid without regard to 
the outcome of a court proceeding.  Acceptance of the compensation 
may not be construed as giving a court reporter a financial interest 
in the court proceeding.
	SECTION 3.  Section 52.021(i), Government Code, is repealed.                   
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.