SB0397 Summary

• Amends the Court Reporters Act to create a new definition of "court reporting services employee" that includes persons employed to take court records by stenographic or electronic means, plus administrative personnel as authorized by the Act.

• Removes outdated factors from the determination of court reporter staffing needs and eliminates provisions allowing chief judges to designate "time share" court reporter positions.

• Simplifies proficiency testing requirements by removing the three-part (A, B, C) examination system and requiring court reporters to verify proficiency within one year of employment through standards set by the employer representative.

• Modifies salary provisions by removing specific dollar amount caps, allowing the employer representative to determine salaries and additional compensation for administrative personnel through an adopted pay schedule.

• Changes collective bargaining authority from the Supreme Court to "employer representatives" (chief judges acting individually or jointly) and clarifies that advisory arbitration applies only when parties have agreed to collective bargaining.