This agency is currently inactive. An agency can be labeled inactive if it has been abolished, had a title change, was merged into a different agency or split into different agencies. See Agency History on the right for further information.
Next Review Date: None
Last Review Cycle: 2002-2003 Review Cycle - 78th Legislative Session
Sunset Documents for 2002-2003 Review Cycle, 78th Legislative Session
Summary of Results (Jul 2003)
Staff Report (May 2002)
Self-Evaluation Report (Aug 2001)
Legislative Documents
Senate Bill 273 (Jun 2003)
Final Results of Last Sunset Review
Since 1914, the courts of Texas have identified the need to preserve a record of court proceedings, and have considered court reporters to be officers of the court. In 1977, the Legislature created the Court Reporters Certification Board (the Board) to regulate the court reporter profession. In fiscal year 2002, the Legislature appropriated $156,525 to the Board. Agency appropriations were offset by $303,873 in fees paid into the General Revenue Fund from licensees. The agency currently employs three staff.
The Board’s major functions include:
- administering the quarterly court reporter examination and certifying court reporters;
- registering court reporting firms; and
- processing complaints and taking disciplinary action against certified court reporters and court reporting firms.
Senate Bill 273 contains all of the Sunset Commission’s recommendations, and several additional provisions affecting the Board. Senate Bill 273 continues the Board and enacts several provisions that conform the agency’s operations and licensing procedures to standard practices seen in other regulatory bodies. The legislation also merges the Board into the Office of Court Administration for administrative purposes. The list below summarizes the major provisions of S.B. 273.
- Continue the Court Reporters Certification Board for 12 Years.
- Conform Key Elements of the Board’s Programs to Commonly Applied Occupational Licensing Practices.
- Administratively Attach the Board to the Office of Court Administration.
- Clarify the Application of Texas Laws Governing Court Reporters.