HB571 Summary

• Applies to all court reporters and entities providing court reporting services in Alabama, requiring them to follow the same rules and regulations as individual reporters.

• Prohibits court reporters or reporting firms from reporting legal proceedings if they have contractual relationships with parties or their attorneys, are parties to the action, have financial interests in the outcome, or are relatives/employees of interested parties.

• Forbids court reporters from entering multi-case contracts with attorneys or insurers, giving preferential terms to one party, basing compensation on case outcomes, restricting attorney choice of reporters, or agreeing to preferred provider arrangements.

• Courts may void transcripts obtained through violations and impose penalties of at least $1,500 for first offenses and up to $2,500 per violation for subsequent offenses through the Alabama Board of Court Reporting.

• Allows governmental entities to obtain court reporting services through competitive bidding on long-term bases; provisions cannot be waived by agreement or disclosure; becomes effective three months after passage.