HB 617-FN – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
30Mar2005… 0800h
2005 SESSION
09/04
HOUSE BILL 617-FN
AN ACT establishing a commission to study the future role of court reporters in New Hampshire’s court system.
SPONSORS: Rep. Emerton, Hills 7; Rep. Wall, Straf 7; Rep. Brassard, Hills 17; Sen. Martel, Dist 18; Sen. D’Allesandro, Dist 20
This bill establishes a commission to study the future role of court reporters in New Hampshire’s court system.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
30Mar2005… 0800h
05-0211
09/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five
AN ACT establishing a commission to study the future role of court reporters in New Hampshire’s court system.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings and Purpose. The general court finds that the New Hampshire courts have used live court reporters for many years and recognize their importance in maintaining the most accurate court record available for the citizens of this state. The general court further finds that there is an important role for court reporters to accommodate deaf and hearing-impaired litigants, defendants, jurors, attorneys, and witnesses, and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as to avoid the costs associated with poor transcription of court recordings from the use of recording machines only.
2 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study the future role of court reporters in New Hampshire’s court system.
3 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The chief justice of the supreme court, or designee.
(d) The attorney general, or designee.
(e) A member nominated by the New Hampshire Defense Lawyers Association and appointed by the governor.
(f) A member nominated by the New Hampshire Bar Association and appointed by the governor.
(g) A member nominated by the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association and appointed by the governor.
(h) A member nominated by the New Hampshire Court Reporters Association and appointed by the governor.
(i) Two public members, appointed by the governor.
II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
4 Duties. The commission shall:
I. Study the current methods being used to record court proceedings and assess the impact they have on obtaining the best form of justice for the citizens of New Hampshire.
II. Assess the role of court reporters and court monitors as used in the court system.
III. Review possible procedures for reporting for injustices relating to inaccurate or incomplete transcripts.
5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section.
6 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 30, 2005.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
LBAO
05-0211
Amended 4/6/05
HB 617 FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT establishing a commission to study the future role of court reports in New Hampshire’s court system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Legislative Budget Assistant indicates that this bill, as amended by the House (House Amendment #2005-0800h), will have no fiscal impact on state, county and local revenue or expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
This bill establishes a commission to study the future role of court reporters in New Hampshire’s court system, and will have no fiscal impact.