Subcommittee advances bill changing court reporter standards; budget questions on pay moved to appropriations
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Summary
Vice Chair Harris presented House Bill 3585 to modify court-reporter requirements; Representative Timmons asked why her pay-focused bill was not being heard and said low pay is causing staffing disruptions. The subcommittee removed pay provisions and reported HB 3585 out 7-0.
Vice Chair Harris presented House Bill 3585 to the Budget Judiciary Subcommittee and said the bill "modifies some of the requirements and standards for court reporters." Representative Timmons questioned the omission of pay increases and longevity provisions she had proposed in a separate bill, House Bill 3088, and said court-reporter departures were causing "significant disruptions" to court proceedings.
Timmons asked, "Do you know why that bill is not being heard and why this 1 that does not have those things than it is?" and added, "Because y'all don't like me and I'm new." Harris and other members responded that salary adjustments are a budget matter handled by the appropriations and budget office and specifically by Chairman Caldwell; Harris said she struck salary language from HB 3585 because it falls under the chairman's purview.
A motion to report HB 3585 as a do pass was made and seconded. The subcommittee voted 7 yays and 0 nays and the bill was reported out as a do pass. The transcript does not record a decision on a separate salary bill's timing or specifics.