BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3432

By: Thompson, Senfronia

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that certain cities, such as the City of Houston, are required to provide a court reporter to record municipal court proceedings, which gives rise to concerns about the negative impact that the requirement has on citizens who may have their cases rescheduled for trial multiple times because there are not enough court reporters to transcribe the court proceedings. It has been suggested that allowing such cities the option of electronically recording a proceeding would permit more cases to be tried efficiently while avoiding the cost of hiring contract court reporters to supplement staff resources. H.B. 3432 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. 3432 repeals Section 30.00676(b), Government Code, which excludes the City of Houston and its municipal courts of record from a provision authorizing other municipalities' governing bodies to provide for the recording of court proceedings by a good quality electronic recording device and dispensing with the requirement to have a court reporter present to certify the reporter's record.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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