Committee approves substitute to HB179 to clarify digital-recording rules and preserve right to court reporters

The Georgia House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 25, 2025 approved a substitute to House Bill 179 that clarifies use of digital recording systems in court proceedings while affirming parties’ right to a court reporter.

The substitute adds language referencing Code Section 5-6-41 and specifies that parties "always have the right to have the case reported by a court reporter," according to the bill sponsor’s presentation. The substitute also clarifies cross-references to subsection B of Code Section 15-14-5 and amends the definition of a digital recording system to state it is regulated by rules adopted by the Supreme Court with advice and consent of the Judicial Council or the affected trial courts.

During the hearing, Edward Lindsey presented amendment AM480053, which struck language such as "taken by non-stenographic means" in several sections and removed an entire subsection (section 1-3) from the amendment text; committee members discussed the edits and potential unintended consequences for court reporters. Lindsey said he and others had worked with the Board of Court Reporting and with Judge Land on the language and pledged to address any problems that might arise in the Senate. "I would ask for your favorable consideration of this amendment," Lindsey said.

Committee members discussed whether the changes might weaken the role of court reporters; supporters said the substitute was intended to bring deposition-related language into the 21st century without displacing the protections and rights court reporters provide. After discussion, the committee approved the substitute as amended and the amendment AM480053 by voice vote.

The substitute’s text references specific line edits where the changes were made; the committee recorded the amendment and the final passage of the bill in the transcripted hearing excerpts.