SB564 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry Dixon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Court Reporting, Board of, Sunset Law review, continued with modifications until October 1, 2012, board members, qualifications, appointing authority further specified, appointment of a board member by the Chief Justice from a list of nominees provided by the Administrative Office of Courts provided for, continuing education requirements, liability of board limited, temporary graduate license, Secs. 34-8B-4, 34-8B-5, 34-8B-8, 34-8B-9, 34-8B-15 am'd.

Summary

SB564 renews and updates the Alabama Board of Court Reporting under the Sunset Law, changing who appointments, education requirements, licensing rules, and adds temporary licenses through October 1, 2012.

What This Bill Does

Keeps the Alabama Board of Court Reporting in existence until October 1, 2012 with modifications, including removing references to the Alabama Judicial Conference. Rebuilds the board as a seven-member body (four reporters, two Alabama Bar members, and one additional member) with appointments made by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senate President Pro Tempore, House Speaker, and the Chief Justice from specified nominee lists. Requires continuing education for licensees using courses approved by the Alabama State Bar, and sets licensing duties (fees, examinations, and public registers) for the board; limits the admissibility of depositions and provides for the board’s liability protections. Creates temporary graduate licenses for court reporting graduates, detailing how those licenses are issued, their duration, and limits on additional temporary licenses if full licensure exams are not passed.

Who It Affects

• Court reporters and court reporting students/applicants: changes to licensure processes, continuing education requirements, and the new temporary graduate licenses affect how they become and stay licensed.
• The Alabama legal community (attorneys, law firms, and the judiciary): affected by changes in licensing oversight, deposition rules, and the board’s regulatory framework as it oversees court reporting quality and related practice.

Key Provisions

• Continuance of the Alabama Board of Court Reporting through October 1, 2012 with modifications; removal of references to the Alabama Judicial Conference.
• Board composition of seven members: four reporters (two official, two freelance), two Alabama State Bar members, and one additional member; appointment lists submitted by ABCR/NCRA/NVRA/Bar, with specific appointing authorities for each seat.
• Continuing education requirements adopted no later than Oct 1, 2007 and implemented no later than Jan 1, 2008, including courses approved by the Alabama State Bar for continuing legal education.
• Duties of the board include licensure processes, investigations and hearings on complaints, setting license fees, maintaining licensure registers, and annual reporting to the Governor and Secretary of State.
• Admissibility of depositions limited and penalties for practicing court reporting without a license; the board may seek injunctions to stop violations.
• Temporary graduate licenses created for graduates of court reporting schools, with procedures, duration rules (including expiration timelines), and limits on the number of temporary licenses issued if full licensure is not achieved.
• Board members receive travel expenses and per diem, with funding and reimbursement subject to board financial conditions; board members are immune from civil liability when acting within their official duties.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and Governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Court Reporting, Board of