S.B. No. 1538 seeks to improve the registration and regulation of court recorders and reporters in Texas by introducing new definitions and requirements. The bill distinguishes between "court recorder" and "court reporter," mandating that individuals must be registered or certified to engage in court reporting activities. It establishes the Court Reporters Certification and Registration Advisory Board to oversee these processes and replaces "shorthand reporting firms" with "court reporting firms" throughout the Government Code. Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of court reporters, including attending court sessions and preserving notes, while also detailing the liabilities of attorneys regarding deposition costs.

The legislation amends various sections of the Government Code, Education Code, Business & Commerce Code, and Occupations Code to update terminology and regulations. It emphasizes the need for certification by the supreme court and introduces penalties for employing uncertified individuals. The bill also prohibits court reporters from entering contracts that compromise their impartiality and requires the Texas Supreme Court to adopt registration rules for court recorders by September 1, 2025. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the professionalism and accountability of court reporting services in Texas, ensuring compliance with updated legal standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 52.001, Government Code 52.041, Government Code 52.046, Government Code 52.059, Government Code 154.001, Government Code 154.051, Government Code 154.101, Government Code 154.1011, Government Code 154.104, Government Code 154.105, Government Code 154.106, Government Code 154.107, Government Code 154.110, Government Code 154.111, Government Code 154.112, Government Code 154.113, Government Code 154.115, Commerce Code 322.003, Education Code 21.255, Education Code 21.256, Education Code 21.260, Education Code 21.302, Government Code 25.1252, Government Code 25.2072, Government Code 52.048, Government Code 54.755, Local Government Code 158.013, Occupations Code 1103.512, Occupations Code 1104.2131 (Government Code 25, Local Government Code 158, Occupations Code 1103, Government Code 54, Commerce Code 322, Education Code 21, Government Code 154, Occupations Code 1104, Government Code 52)