SB492 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

George M. “Marc” Keahey

Democrat

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

SB492 overhauls Alabama's Court Reporting Board by changing who can supervise exams, updating education requirements, and altering licensing timelines and fees, while removing board compensation and a mandatory annual reporting requirement.

What This Bill Does

It makes several changes to the Alabama Board of Court Reporting: board members would no longer receive compensation and the requirement to file an annual report with the Governor and Secretary of State would be removed. It allows other groups (ACRA, NCRA, NVRA) to administer the Written Knowledge Examination. It changes the education requirement for licensure from a high school diploma to completion of a court reporting program. It adds a deadline for grandfathering applications, and it changes temporary licenses to be valid 18 months from issuance (not from graduation), with limits on how many temporary licenses can be issued if the candidate does not pass the exam. It also authorizes new fees, including a change-of-information fee and other processing fees.

Who It Affects

• Prospective and current Alabama court reporters: must complete a court reporting program (not just have a high school diploma) to become licensed; may apply for grandfathering with a deadline; temporary licenses for graduates are valid for 18 months from issuance, with limits on further temporary licenses if exams aren’t passed.
• The Alabama Board of Court Reporting and related licensing processes: board members would be unpaid; the board’s duties and exam administration could involve external organizations (ACRA, NCRA, NVRA); new fee structures would apply for licenses and administrative actions.

Key Provisions

• Eliminate compensation for board members (board members would no longer receive a salary).
• Eliminate the requirement that the board file an annual report with the Governor and Secretary of State.
• Allow the written knowledge examination to be administered by the board or by external groups (ACRA, NCRA, or NVRA).
• Change the education requirement for court reporters from a high school diploma to completion of a court reporting program.
• Add a deadline for grandfathering applications (December 31, 2011).
• For temporary licenses, require they be effective 18 months from the date of issuance (not from graduation) and place limits on more temporary licenses if the examinee does not pass the exam.
• Authorize a change-of-information fee and other reasonable processing fees.

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