S.B. No. 677 AN ACT relating to the electronic recording of proceedings in a statutory probate court in Collin County. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 25.0453, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: (g) The judge of a statutory probate court may, unless a party objects, provide that a proceeding be recorded by a good quality electronic recording device instead of by a court reporter. A stenographic record of an electronically recorded proceeding is not required except on order of the judge. If a recording device is used, the court reporter is not required to be present to certify the record. The judge may designate one or more persons to act as the court recorder and shall assign to a court recorder the duties and responsibilities necessary to act in that capacity. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a proceeding commenced on or after the effective date of this Act. A proceeding commenced before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 677 passed the Senate on March 21, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 677 passed the House on May 20, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, two present not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor