BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 897

By: Rodriguez, Justin

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the City of San Antonio is required to provide a court reporter for the purpose of preserving a record in cases tried before the municipal court of record. Interested parties report that courts in certain other municipalities have the option to record the court proceedings electronically, rather than relying on a court reporter to provide a transcript, and these parties have expressed interest in providing that option in San Antonio. H.B. 897 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 897 repeals Section 30.00226, Government Code, which requires the City of San Antonio to provide a court reporter for cases tried before the municipal court of record.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.