OklahomaHB 3970Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Court reporters; duties and salaries; remote availability; transcripts; certifications; continuing education; shorthand reporter examinations; methods; effective date; emergency.

Sponsored By: Trey Caldwell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Higher pay and bonuses for court reporters

The law raises court reporters’ base pay to $65,000 a year. It adds $400 per year of service in longevity pay, capped at $8,000 a year. It pays a $3,000 yearly equipment allowance after the first year. It pays $2,000 a year for each approved certification, up to $8,000 total. Mileage is reimbursed when traveling outside the home county, up to the State Travel rate. Temporary reporters are paid at the court fund’s set rate.

Order and pay for transcripts

The Oklahoma Supreme Court sets transcript format and fees. Transcripts must have at least 25 lines per page and at least 9 characters per inch. The person who orders the original transcript pays the set fees up front and gets two copies at no extra charge. If the judge orders a transcript, the court may assign the costs. If no official reporter is available, the judge may record the hearing electronically or approve a freelance reporter by agreement; a transcript from an approved freelancer is official. In criminal cases, indigent defendants can have transcript costs paid from the district court fund on a showing of reasonable need.

Stronger reporter certification and testing

Only licensed or certified people may practice shorthand reporting. Certifications are tied to allowed methods, such as steno‑mask and other methods the Oklahoma Supreme Court approves; written shorthand is removed. The skills test sets 200 words per minute for Q&A and 180 for literary. The written test has at least 25 multiple‑choice questions on Oklahoma law, court rules, duties, and procedure. Passing the written test gives two years of credit; you cannot retake it within those two years. Academic dishonesty blocks testing for two years. Certification pay stops if a certification is not in good standing. Continuing education rules change.

Modern methods and remote reporting

Court reporters may use more reporting methods, including stenographic hand reporting, steno‑mask, stenographic machines, and other methods the Oklahoma Supreme Court allows. They may use electronic instruments as supplementary tools. Reporters can be available to courts and parties remotely.

Law takes effect immediately

The law declares an emergency. It takes effect upon passage and approval. This immediate effect overrides the July 1, 2026 date in another section.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Trey Caldwell
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Chuck Hall
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 377 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2026

FOURTH READING

Yes: 85 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/27/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 47 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Committee vote: Judiciary

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Top_of_Page

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

Top_of_Page

Yes: 89 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 89 • No: 0

House vote • 2/17/2026

emergency

Yes: 30 • No: 0