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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)

Signed by Governor

JudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Prosecutors can digitally record grand juries

Beginning January 1, 2026, Georgia district attorneys can digitally record grand jury proceedings under applicable court rules. District attorneys have exclusive access to and control over the recordings, reporter notes, and transcripts. They can use these materials for official duties, including required discovery and disclosure.

Records required for specified postconviction trials

Beginning January 1, 2026, trials under Georgia’s specified procedures for people under a state-court sentence must be recorded and transcribed. Courts can use digital recording that follows court rules, with a court reporter preparing the transcript. Alternatively, a reporter designated by the superior court can take down and transcribe the trial. This requirement covers all trials under Article 2 of Chapter 14 of Title 9.

Digital court records need certified transcripts

Beginning January 1, 2026, digital court recordings must be transcribed and certified to count as the official record. When a transcript is requested or legally required, a certified court reporter must prepare and certify it. No separate digital transcript is required if a reporter already took down and transcribed the proceeding. Digital systems use electronic audio or video to produce word-for-word transcripts under court rules. Operating these systems generally does not count as court reporting, except for recording methods requiring a Board of Court Reporting-approved exam.

Georgia courts gain digital recording options

Beginning January 1, 2026, Georgia state courts must make court reporters, digital recording systems, or both available for trials. Court reporters remain required for felony trials and post-indictment evidence hearings where witnesses testify. That hearing requirement excludes arraignments, guilty pleas, and bond hearings. Reporters are also required for every proceeding after prosecutors file notice that they seek the death penalty. Judges may choose digital recording for other felony proceedings and covered civil and misdemeanor cases, following Supreme Court rules. Parties retain the right to request a court reporter, but must pay for that choice themselves.

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

All Roll Calls

Yes: 388 • No: 0

House vote • 4/4/2025

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 167 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 52 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/4/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 169 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    1/1/2026

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    4/30/2025House

  3. Act 23

    4/30/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    4/4/2025House

  6. Senate Third Read

    4/2/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    4/2/2025Senate

  8. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/27/2025Senate

  9. Senate Read Second Time

    3/27/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    3/6/2025Senate

  11. House Third Readers

    3/4/2025House

  12. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/4/2025House

  13. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/28/2025House

  14. House Second Readers

    2/3/2025House

  15. House First Readers

    1/30/2025House

  16. House Hopper

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 179/AP* (v8)

    PDF

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