Committee amends bill to clarify parties’ right to court reporter; removes phrase referencing non‑stenographic depositions

House Judiciary members considered a substitute to House Bill 179 that changes how digital recording systems and court reporters are referenced in the code and clarifies parties’ rights to a court reporter.

Sponsor and supporters told the committee that interested parties, including the Board of Court Reporting and the judicial council, had negotiated changes after a Feb. 25 hearing. The substitute adds language—"except as provided in section k of Code Section 5‑6‑41"—to clarify that parties always have the right to have proceedings taken down by a court reporter even when digital recording systems are authorized.

Edward Lindsey, who presented a proposed floor amendment (AM480053), described further edits he said the court reporters and the board had requested. “On lines 18 and 19, ‘taken by non stenographic means’ often needs to be cut,” Lindsey said at the hearing. He asked that an entire subsection (section 1‑3 of the amendment) be removed; the committee record shows members agreed to strike the specified language.

Committee members recorded the amendment as adopted by voice vote; the transcript shows the Clerk stated the bill was on the record as amended to strike the phrase “taken by non stenographic means” in the listed lines and to remove the identified subsection. The committee then voted by voice to pass House Bill 179 as amended.

Supporters characterized most changes as clarifying and non‑substantive edits, noting that the definition of "digital recording system" was changed to reflect regulation by the Supreme Court with advice and consent of affected trial courts. The substitute also replaces some references to “reporter” with the clearer phrase “court reporter” and makes targeted cross‑reference edits for accuracy.

The transcript includes repeated assurances from sponsors and stakeholders that the edits were intended to avoid weakening the role of court reporters; one presenter said he would correct any unintended consequences if they were discovered in the Senate.

The committee record shows the substitute and its amendment passed by voice vote; no roll‑call tally is included in the provided transcript.