HB366 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen TreadawayRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

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-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

HB366 would update and expand regulation of Alabama court reporters by redefining reporter roles, modernizing Board operations, and tightening licensure, temporary licensure, investigations, penalties, and fees.

What This Bill Does

It clarifies and expands definitions for freelance, official, and supervising court reporters. It authorizes the Board to meet by video or electronic means and to hire staff, and it strengthens procedures for investigating and hearing complaints under the Administrative Procedure Act with specified penalties for violations. It sets new or clearer rules for licensure qualifications, temporary licensure, and practice under a temporary license, plus procedures for lapsed or expired licenses and related fee changes. It also establishes continuing education requirements, license renewals, inactive status, and a dedicated Board Fund to manage revenues and expenses.

Who It Affects

• Licensed court reporters (including freelance, official, and supervising reporters) with changes to licensure qualifications, continuing education, renewals, supervision rules, and potential penalties.
• Temporary licensees and applicants (including graduates and supervising reporters) with rules on temporary licenses, supervision, duration, transition to full licensure, and related fees.

Key Provisions

• Redefines freelance court reporter, official court reporter, and supervising court reporter.
• Allows the Board to hold meetings by video conference or other electronic means.
• Authorizes the Board to hire staff (e.g., executive director, attorneys, investigators) to implement and administer the chapter.
• Creates procedures for investigating and hearing complaints under the Administrative Procedure Act and establishes penalties for violations.
• Specifies licensure qualifications and the process for temporary licensure and practice under a temporary license.
• Provides rules for handling lapsed and expired licenses, including late renewals and reinstatement requirements.
• Requires continuing education for license renewal and maintains public license registers.
• Allows for inactive status for reporters not actively practicing, with associated requirements and fees.
• Creates a Board Fund and details fees (licensing, examinations, renewals, reinstatement, late fees, change of information, and administrative costs).
• Prohibits certain licensee practices (e.g., use of a license number on transcripts not produced under personal supervision) and establishes supervision requirements for temporary licensees.
• Sets board diversity considerations and reporting requirements for board membership.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Court Reporting, Board of