SB139 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Court Reporting, Board of, freelance, official, and supervising court reporter defined, board staff, investigations and hearings pursuant to APA, temporary licensure, lapsed and expired licenses, and fees, Secs. 34-8B-2, 34-8B-3, 34-8B-4, 34-8B-5, 34-8B-6, 34-8B-8, 34-8B-10, 34-8B-12, 34-8B-13, 34-8B-15, 34-8B-16, 34-8B-17 am'd.

Summary

SB 139 updates Alabama's court reporting rules by clarifying reporter roles, tightening licensure (including temporary licenses), strengthening enforcement, and revising fees and procedures for maintaining licenses.

What This Bill Does

It defines freelance, official, and supervising court reporters; requires reporters on assignment to show their license when asked. It expands the board's ability to hire staff and to investigate and conduct hearings for complaints under the Administrative Procedure Act, with penalties for violations. It revises licensure rules, adds temporary licensure and supervision requirements (including a temporary graduate license), and sets procedures for lapsed and expired licenses, renewals, and continuing education. It creates and governs a Board Fund to manage fees and may allocate excess funds to education and training, while establishing a broader fee schedule and related penalties.

Who It Affects

• Court reporters and licensure applicants (including freelance, official, supervising, and temporary licensees, as well as graduates seeking temporary licenses) by defining roles, imposing licensure and renewal requirements, and detailing supervision and examination rules.
• Employers, clients, and supervising reporters (as well as regulatory and enforcement entities) by outlining board authority, investigation and hearing processes, penalties for violations, and the associated fee structure and fund management.

Key Provisions

• Defines freelance court reporter, official court reporter, and supervising court reporter; clarifies related terms.
• Requires a court reporter to produce their license upon request when on assignment.
• Expands the Alabama Board of Court Reporting's authority to hire staff and oversee board operations.
• Details investigations and hearings of complaints under the Administrative Procedure Act and sets penalties for violations.
• Outlines licensure qualifications, temporary licensure, and practice standards, including supervision requirements for temporary licensees.
• Creates a temporary graduate license program (eligible August 1, 2012) with an 18-month term (and a six-month option under certain conditions) supervised by a freelance reporter; temporary licensees cannot serve as official reporters or as supervising reporters.
• Specifies procedures and requirements for lapsed and expired licenses, including renewal, late renewal penalties, and reinstatement rules.
• Requires continuing education for license renewal and sets renewal timelines and examination requirements; requires notifying the board of name, address, or employer changes within 30 days.
• Establishes examinations (written knowledge and skills) with multiple annual testing opportunities; licenses are valid through September 30 of the issuance year.
• Sets fee structure (license/application, examination, renewal, reinstatement, late renewal penalties, change of information, and admin fees) and directs funds into the Board of Court Reporting Fund.
• Allows the board to take targeted actions, including injunctions and disciplinary measures, for violations of the chapter.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Court Reporting, Board of