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Committee advances bill allowing limited reemployment of retired court reporters in shortage areas
Summary
Senate Bill 6 was reported favorably after testimony that it would let certain retired court reporters return to work for judicial districts or parishes with critical shortages, subject to age and inactivity requirements and advertising/rehiring conditions.
Senate Bill 6, presented May 15, 2025, would establish an exception to the suspension of retirement benefits for court reporters who are reemployed by judicial districts or parishes that demonstrate a critical shortage of reporters.
Senator Price said the measure was modeled on similar provisions in the Teachers' Retirement System (TRSL) and that the shortage has caused trials to be delayed; he recounted testimony that a judge had postponed a morning trial until the afternoon for lack of a court reporter. Price said the bill would require advertising and a showing that no available candidate meets the need before reemploying a retiree.
The bill sets eligibility conditions, including that a returning court reporter must be age 65 or older and have been inactive for three years before returning, Price said, adding that the retirement system and judges agreed to the three‑year period because actuarial notes would have changed otherwise. Representative Kerner moved to report SB 6 favorably; with no objection the committee reported the bill favorably by voice consent.
Committee members expressed support in testimony; no roll‑call tally was recorded in committee. The bill advances to the full chamber for further consideration.
