House Bill 689 Summary

• Prohibits court reporters and recording persons from having any interest in legal proceedings they record, including being a party, relative, employee, or having financial interest in the case or its outcome.

• Restricts court reporters from entering multi-case contracts with attorneys or parties, providing unequal advantages to parties, basing compensation on case outcome, or including court reporters on preferred provider lists.

• Requires court reporters to provide itemized statements of all rates and charges for services to any party during or after proceedings and to the Board of Certified Court Reporters upon request.

• Establishes penalties for violations including voiding transcripts, fines of at least $5,000 for first violation and $2,500 for subsequent violations, and potential license suspension or revocation by the Board of Certified Court Reporters.

• Exempts government entities from restrictions when hiring court reporters on long-term basis under state bidding laws; effective July 1, 2012.