Provides for a statewide revision of court reporter fees (RE INCREASE LF RV See Note)
Summary
HB 155 revises Louisiana law governing court reporter fees and creates a statewide fee schedule intended to replace the patchwork of district-specific rates currently in statute. The bill raises the maximum transcript fee for civil and non-indigent criminal cases to $5 per 32-line page and the maximum certified copy fee to $2 per page, while setting a separate maximum for indigent criminal cases of $3.50 per page and $1 per certified copy page. It also authorizes expedited transcript charges for 24-hour, 48-hour, and five-day turnaround requests, and clarifies that electronic copies may be provided with certified copies upon request.
The bill amends numerous provisions across Title 13 to conform district court reporter fee statutes to the new statewide framework, and it repeals several prior acts that had attempted to authorize fee increases in specific districts but had not become effective. It also repeals a provision in R.S. 13:970(K) and removes a prior enacted but ineffective fee provision in Act No. 447 of 2018. In practical terms, the bill standardizes how court reporters are compensated across judicial districts, while preserving judicial discretion in some districts to set fees up to the statutory maximum by majority vote of the judges.
The overall sentiment reflected in the available history is strongly favorable: the House passed HB 155 on final passage unanimously, 98-0. The bill’s digest and amendments suggest a technical, administrative measure aimed at simplifying and modernizing transcript fee rules rather than a controversial policy change. The committee amendment changing page-count formatting from 31 to 32 lines and the floor amendment clarifying electronic-copy treatment indicate refinement rather than opposition.
There is little evidence of major contention in the available record, but the bill does touch on potentially sensitive issues for litigants and public agencies because it increases maximum transcript and copy fees. The main policy tension is between providing a uniform, higher compensation structure for court reporters and limiting costs for parties who must pay for transcripts, especially indigent criminal defendants and public funds that cover those costs. The bill also preserves some local judicial control, which may have been important to districts with existing fee practices.
Impact
HB 155 substantially amends Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 13 by replacing a wide range of district-specific court reporter fee provisions with a uniform statewide schedule. It increases the maximum allowable transcript and copy fees, sets separate rates for indigent criminal cases, authorizes expedited transcript surcharges, and allows electronic copies to accompany certified copies upon request. The bill also repeals multiple prior acts and a prior statutory provision that had created or attempted to create district-specific fee increases, thereby consolidating and superseding prior law.
Sentiment
The available discussion and voting history indicate broad support for the bill. The House approved HB 155 unanimously on final passage, 98-0, suggesting little partisan or procedural resistance. The amendments adopted in committee and on the floor appear to have been technical or clarifying in nature, which is consistent with a generally positive reception to the bill’s goal of standardizing court reporter fees statewide.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely fiscal rather than ideological: higher transcript and copy fees can increase costs for civil litigants, criminal defendants, and public entities that pay for transcripts, including indigent defense systems. At the same time, court reporters and judicial districts may support the bill because it raises compensation and creates clearer statewide rules. The bill also leaves some discretion to judges to set fees up to the statutory maximum, which may reflect an effort to balance uniformity with local control.