All Roll Calls
Yes: 388 • No: 0
GeorgiaHB 1792025-2026 Regular SessionHouse
Appellate practice; digital recording of certain trial proceedings; provide
Sponsored By: Stacey Evans (Democrat), Stan Gunter (Republican), Soo Hong (Republican), Rob Leverett (Republican), Tyler Paul Smith (Republican)
Became Law
JudiciaryGeneral Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Courts can use digital recording systems
Beginning January 1, 2026, state courts must make a court reporter or a digital recording system available for trials. Superior court judges may use digital recording as allowed by statewide rules. The Georgia State‑wide Business Court may use digital recording and hire stenographers and staff.
How recordings become official court transcripts
Beginning January 1, 2026, a digital recording is not the official record unless a certified court reporter transcribes and certifies it. If a transcript is made from a recording, a certified reporter must prepare it, sign a certificate, and follow statewide rules. The certified transcript is presumed correct unless the judge orders changes. When a case is transcribed, the reporter must file the original and a copy with the clerk; in capital felony convictions, the reporter also files a copy with the Attorney General, which the state pays for.
Stronger criminal case and grand jury records
Beginning January 1, 2026, felony trials and certain post‑indictment hearings must be taken down and transcribed by a court reporter. If the state files a death‑penalty notice, those proceedings must be reported and transcribed. Judges may use either a court reporter or a digital recording for other felony matters and for misdemeanors, following statewide court rules. District attorneys may record grand jury sessions; the DA controls the recordings, notes, and any transcripts for official use.
Civil trials: recordings and who pays
Beginning January 1, 2026, judges in civil trials can use a court reporter or a digital recording system under statewide rules. If you appeal and the appeal questions the transcript, you must pay to have the transcript prepared. In city‑court civil cases, the party who asks for reporting or transcribing must pay. Some trials under Title 9 must be recorded and transcribed by a court reporter.
Most changes start January 1, 2026
The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
Defines court reporters and digital systems
Beginning January 1, 2026, the law defines who is a court reporter and what counts as court reporting. Simply running a digital recorder is not court reporting. A digital recording system is any audio or video setup used to make a verbatim record under statewide rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Stacey Evans
Democrat • House
Stan Gunter
Republican • House
Soo Hong
Republican • House
Rob Leverett
Republican • House
Tyler Paul Smith
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brian Strickland
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/4/2025
Agree to Senate Substitute
Yes: 167 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/2/2025
PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE
Yes: 52 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 169 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective Date
1/1/2026House Date Signed by Governor
4/30/2025HouseAct 23
4/30/2025House Sent to Governor
4/10/2025HouseHouse Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
4/4/2025HouseSenate Third Read
4/2/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
4/2/2025SenateSenate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/27/2025SenateSenate Read Second Time
3/27/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
3/6/2025SenateHouse Third Readers
3/4/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/4/2025HouseHouse Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/28/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
2/3/2025HouseHouse First Readers
1/30/2025HouseHouse Hopper
1/29/2025House
Bill Text
HB 179/AP* (v8)
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