BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1554
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, judges are required to appoint a court reporter to take shorthand notes during trial proceedings.
As proposed, S.B. 1554 authorizes judges to choose the system used to create a record of court proceedings and requires the supreme court to approve a local rule authorizing the use of an electronic system of recordkeeping in a court of record before the court is authorized to implement that system.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 21, Government Code, by adding Section 21.010, as follows:
Sec. 21.010. SYSTEM OF RECORDKEEPING. (a) Authorizes a judge of a court of record to determine the system of recordkeeping the court will use to create a record of the court's proceedings, subject to Subsection (b).
(b) Requires the supreme court to approve a local rule authorizing the use of an electronic system of recordkeeping in a court of record before the court is authorized to implement that system.
(c) Requires that an electronic system of recordkeeping provide a record of the court's proceedings that is substantially similar in content to the record a court reporter is required to provide under Chapter 52 (Court Reporters and Shorthand Reporting Firms) and under other applicable rules adopted by the supreme court.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 52.041, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 52.041. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER. Requires the judge of a court of record to appoint an official court reporter, unless the judge chooses to use an electronic system of recordkeeping as authorized by Section 21.010. Provides that an official court reporter is a sworn officer of the court and holds office at the pleasure of the court.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.