The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to add court reporters to a list of officials who may take a deposition in a criminal action, subject to restrictions and limitations under current law. The bill would provide that a court reporter complies with the filing rules in the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure if the court reporter electronically files with the trial court clerk the reporter's notes of a criminal trial that is not appealed.

The bill would revise the definition of The terms “shorthand reporter” and “court reporter” to include apprentice and provisional reporters for purposes of laws relating to the appointment of official court reporters and the regulation of reporters. The bill would require a court reporting firm or a court reporter to certify that a copy of a transcript of a deposition was delivered to the person deposed for review, a copy of any changes by that person is attached to the transcript, the charge for preparing the transcript, a statement that a copy of the transcript was delivered to all parties, and other matters relating to the deposition.

The bill would allow for a court reporter to: administer an oath to a person who is not physically present with the court reporter, a witness to be deposed without being with the reporter, and establishes procedures to authenticate the identity and location of a witness who is deposed without being in the presence of the court reporter.

Based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated as a result from implementing the provisions of the bill.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 5, 2021

TO:	Honorable Jeff Leach, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB2579 by Leach (relating to shorthand reporting and depositions.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted