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Committee approves technical change to let certified verbatim reporters administer oaths
Summary
Lawmakers approved a one‑page cleanup, House Bill 25‑1301, adding certified verbatim reporter credentials to the list of people who may administer oaths in court proceedings. Supporters said the change recognizes voice writers who perform verbatim transcripts and carries no fiscal note.
The House Judiciary Committee unanimously (10‑0, 1 excused) advanced House Bill 25‑1301, a short statutory cleanup that adds certified verbatim reporter certifications to the list of court reporters who may administer oaths or affirmations.
Sponsor Rep. Espinosa described the bill as a narrow, noncontroversial update to Colorado Revised Statutes 3‑12‑103 (as cited in committee) to reflect current court reporting certifications. The statute already permits registered professional reporters (RPR) to administer oaths; the bill adds certified verbatim reporter (CVR) and certified verbatim reporter stenotype (CVRS) designations used by voice writers.
Linda Breach, president of the Colorado Court Reporters Association, told the committee voice writers perform the same services as stenotype reporters but use a voice mask and undergo intensive training and certification. She said the change simply recognizes those professionals and asked the committee to approve the bill. The bill carried no fiscal note.
Committee action: The committee approved the measure and sent it to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation.
Vote: House bill 25‑1301 passed the committee by voice roll call, recorded as 10 yes, 0 no, 1 excused. (Clifford recorded as excused.)
