*HCS#2 SCS SB 163 — Legal Services. Prohibits state legal service programs from using state funds to sue the state, its agencies, or its officials. The expiration date for the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund Program is extended to December 31, 2012.

The cost of preparing of an original copy of a court transcript by a court reporter is increased from $1.50 to $2.00 per page. Uncertified court reporters will be allowed to prepare depositions for use in any court under the following conditions:

(1) All parties consent in writing to the use of the uncertified court reporter no later than seven days prior to the date of the deposition unless time is shortened by the court;

(2) All parties certify by signature that the deposition to be used in court is a true and correct copy of the testimony;

(3) The uncertified court reporter must state on the record that he or she is an uncertified court reporter appearing with the consent of the parties;

(4) A voice recording must be kept and provided to any party upon written request within 14 days;

(5) The uncertified court reporter must have applied for the court reporter exam;

(6) The notice of deposition must contain a statement in bold, 14-point type that an uncertified court reporter will be used; and

(7) The uncertified court reporter preparing a deposition is operating under a temporary certification. (Signed 7/13/07)

Note: Provisions relating to uncertified court reporters were added in a House Committee Substitute and were not included in the original bar-drafted bill.