SLS 23RS-366 REENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 142
BY SENATOR CARTER
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
COURTS. Authorizes the utilization of court reporters licensed in another state in certain
circumstances. (8/1/23)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 13:981.1, relative to district courts; to provide for the appointment of court
3 reporters in certain instances; to provide for qualifications, duties, and
4 responsibilities; to provide for fees; to provide for bond; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 13:981.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง981.1. Court reporter shortage
9 A. Notwithstanding R.S. 37:2556, the judges of a district court, acting en
10 banc, may declare a shortage of available certified court reporters in their
11 district. Upon such a declaration and for the duration of the shortage, a judge
12 of that district may appoint as an official or deputy court reporter a court
13 reporter who is properly licensed in another state.
14 B. A court reporter appointed in accordance with Subsection A of this
15 Section shall:
16 (1) Have the same duties and responsibilities as provided for other
17 official and deputy reporters in this Part for the specific district court.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 142
SLS 23RS-366 REENGROSSED
1 (2) Be entitled to the same fees paid in the same manner as provided for
2 other official and deputy reporters in this Part for the specific district court.
3 (3) Be paid a salary, take an oath, and provide a bond as provided for
4 other reporters in this Part for the specific district court and Chapter 1 of this
5 Title.
6 (4) Perform duties under the supervision and direction of the district
7 court judge to whom the reporter is assigned.
8 (5) Complete a reciprocal application for certification with the Louisiana
9 Board of Examiners for Certified Shorthand Reporters in accordance with the
10 provisions of R.S. 37:2554.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Dawn Romero Watson.
DIGEST
SB 142 Reengrossed 2023 Regular Session Carter
Present law (R.S. 37:2556) requires that all official court reporters and deputy official court
reporters employed as such in a court of record, be subject to the certification requirements
of the certified shorthand reporter law and the regulatory authority of the Board of
Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters.
Proposed law provides an exception to present law. Authorizes the judges of a district court,
acting en banc, to declare a shortage of available certified court reporters in their district.
Provides that upon such a declaration and for the duration of the shortage, a judge of that
district may appoint as an official or deputy court reporter a court reporter who is properly
licensed in another state.
Proposed law provides that a court reporter appointed pursuant to proposed law shall:
(1)Have the same duties and responsibilities as provided for other official and deputy
reporters in that court district.
(2)Be entitled to the same fees paid in the same manner as other official and deputy
reporters in that court district.
(3)Be paid an equivalent salary, take an oath, and provide a bond as other official and
deputy reporters in that court district.
(4)Perform duties under the supervision and direction of the district court judge to
whom he is assigned.
(5) Complete a reciprocal application for certification with the Louisiana Board of
Examiners for Certified Shorthand Reporters in accordance with the provisions of
R.S. 37:2554.
Effective August 1, 2023.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 142
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(Adds R.S. 13:981.1)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Adds requirements to complete a reciprocal application for certification for a
court reporter appointed pursuant to proposed law.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.