HB317 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim McClendon
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Howard Sanderford Mac Buttram
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Court Reporting, Board of, members, compensation eliminated, requirement for annual report to Governor and Secretary of State eliminated, written knowledge exam, entities that may administer added, education requirements changed, grandfathering deadline added, temporary license further provided for, certain fees authorized, Secs. 34-8B-4, 34-8B-5, 34-8B-10, 34-8B-14, 34-8B-15, 34-8B-17 am'd.
Summary: HB317 overhauls the Alabama Board of Court Reporting by updating licensing rules, education requirements, grandfathering timelines, and fees, while removing board member pay and the annual reporting requirement.
What This Bill Does
It eliminates compensation for board members and the annual report to the Governor and Secretary of State. It allows additional organizations (ACRA, NCRA, NVRA) to administer the Written Knowledge Examination. It changes the education requirement for licensure from a high school-focused path to completion of an accredited court reporting program. It sets a grandfathering deadline and creates temporary licensure rules, including that temporary licenses would be valid for 18 months from issuance. It authorizes new fees, including a change-of-information fee and other reasonable processing fees.

Who It Affects
Prospective and current Alabama court reporters: changes to education requirements, eligibility for grandfathering, temporary licenses, and new or adjusted fees.
The Alabama Board of Court Reporting and exam administrators: changes to compensation, reporting obligations, exam administration options, and fee structures.

Key Provisions
Eliminate board member compensation and the requirement for an annual report to the Governor and Secretary of State.
Authorize additional entities (ACRA, NCRA, NVRA) to administer the Written Knowledge Examination for licensure.
Replace the education requirement from high school-based training with completion of an accredited court reporting program for licensure.
Introduce a grandfathering provision with a deadline of December 31, 2011 for certain reporters to obtain licensure without meeting new requirements.
Modify temporary licensure so that temporary licenses are effective 18 months from issuance (not from graduation) and set related conditions.
Authorize changes to fees, including a change-of-information fee and other reasonable processing and related fees.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Court Reporting, Board of