BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3807

By: Woolley

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, certain cities, such as the City of Houston, are required to provide a court reporter to record court proceedings. This negatively impacts the citizens of these cities who may have their cases rescheduled for trial two to three times because there are not enough court reporters to record the testimony. In these cities, more cases could be tried more efficiently while avoiding the cost of hiring contract court reporters to supplement staff resources if the city had the option of electronically recording a proceeding.  H.B. 3807 seeks to address this issue by providing that municipal court proceedings in certain municipalities may be recorded via electronic device.

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. 3807 repeals Section 30.00676(b), Government Code, relating to the inapplicability of a provision of law authorizing the use of electronic recording devices in proceedings in the municipal court of the City of Houston.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.