SB87 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

George M. “Marc” Keahey

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

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

SB87 would overhaul Alabama's Court Reporting Board by eliminating board member compensation, changing exam administration and education requirements, adding a grandfathering deadline, revising temporary licensing, and adjusting related fees.

What This Bill Does

It eliminates board member compensation and the requirement for an annual report to the Governor and Secretary of State. It allows additional entities (ACRA, NCRA, NVRA, or the board) to administer the Written Knowledge Examination. It changes the education requirement for court reporters from a high school diploma to completion of a court reporting program. It sets a grandfathering deadline and changes the temporary license timing to be valid 18 months from issuance, and it authorizes changes to the information and processing fees.

Who It Affects

• Court reporters and licensure applicants who must meet the new education path, may pursue grandfathering by the deadline, and use temporary licenses with the new 18-month duration.
• Organizations that administer examinations (ACRA, NCRA, NVRA) and members of the Alabama State Bar (lawyers) who participate in appointments or examinations, as the bill assigns exam administration to additional entities and involves bar associations in board composition.

Key Provisions

• Eliminate board member compensation.
• Eliminate the requirement that the board make an annual report to the Governor and Secretary of State.
• Add entities that may administer the Written Knowledge Examination (ACRA, NCRA, NVRA, or the board).
• Change the education requirement for court reporters from high school to a court reporting program.
• Provide a deadline for applications under the grandfathering provision (date specified in bill: December 31, 2011).
• Temporary license would be effective 18 months from the date of issuance, not the graduation date (including temporary licenses for graduates of court reporting programs).
• Authorize a change of information fee and reasonable processing fees.
• Amend sections 34-8B-4, 34-8B-5, 34-8B-10, 34-8B-14, 34-8B-15, and 34-8B-17 to implement these changes.

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