SB229 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Vivian Davis FiguresSenator

Democrat

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

SB229 updates the Alabama Board of Court Reporting by redefining reporter roles, expanding licensure and penalties, enabling remote board meetings, and adding new fees and procedures for licensure, temporary licensure, and lapsed licenses.

What This Bill Does

It adds and clarifies definitions for freelance, official, and supervising court reporters. It allows the board to meet by video or electronic means and to hire staff. It broadens the board’s authority to investigate complaints and hold hearings under the Administrative Procedure Act, with penalties for violations. It strengthens licensure requirements, adds temporary licensure rules, and outlines procedures for handling lapsed and expired licenses and associated fees.

Who It Affects

• Licensed and aspiring court reporters (official, freelance, supervising, and temporary) who will be subject to updated definitions, licensure requirements, temporary license rules, supervision arrangements, and renewal procedures including potential late fees.
• The public and the court system, which would benefit from stronger investigations, disciplinary actions, and publicly accessible license records managed by the board.

Key Provisions

• Definitions expanded to include freelance court reporter, official court reporter, supervising court reporter, and certified verbatim reporter (CVR).
• Board may meet by video conference or other electronic means and may hire staff (executive director, consultants, attorneys, investigators) to run the board.
• Establishes procedures for investigating complaints and conducting hearings under the Administrative Procedure Act; authorizes penalties for violations.
• Expands licensure qualifications and allows temporary licensure and practice under temporary licenses; details supervision requirements for temporary licensees and prohibits them from serving as official reporters.
• Provides procedures for licensure exams, renewal, continuation education, and records of licensed and temporarily licensed reporters; requires licenses to be public records.
• Adds requirements and procedures for lapsed and expired licenses, including renewal deadlines, late renewal rules, and reinstatement conditions.
• Creates a Board of Court Reporting Fund; authorizes various fees (licensure, examination, renewal, reinstatement, late renewal, change of information, administrative costs) and sets financial controls.
• Establishes an inactive status option for reporters not actively practicing.

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