SB 2899: Court reporters; increase authorized salary for. - Mississippi

As Passed the upper → Current version · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amendment clarifies that official court reporters in Mississippi may engage in freelance reporting work outside their primary court duties, provided they have no delinquent work and are not required to attend their appointed court. The change also adds restrictions prohibiting reimbursement of freelance-related expenses and banning the use of government-owned equipment for freelance activities.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly allow freelance work for court reporters under specific conditions, while adding new restrictions on expense reimbursement and equipment use for freelance activities.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed a separate subsection that previously allowed freelance work, consolidating the rule into a single clearer provision that permits freelance activities when the reporter has no delinquent work and no attendance requirement in their appointed court.

REQUIREMENT

Added new restrictions prohibiting courts and the Administrative Office of Courts from reimbursing travel or other expenses related to freelance reporting activities.

Added a prohibition against court reporters using government-owned equipment while engaging in freelance reporting activities.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes to the bill title and act description, changing 'As Passed the Senate' to 'As Sent to Governor'.

Committee Substitute → As Passed the upper · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Mississippi law regarding court reporter salaries and introduces new provisions allowing official court reporters to engage in freelance reporting under specific conditions. The changes include salary adjustments, updated definitions of compensation, and new rules permitting freelance work when not in conflict with court duties.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include provisions for freelance reporting activities by official court reporters, which was not previously addressed in the statute.

FISCAL

Increased authorized annual salaries for court reporters based on experience levels, raising maximum compensation from $49,500 to $59,400 for those with five years or less experience, and from $64,000 to $76,800 for those with ten or more years experience.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new provision allowing official court reporters to engage in freelance reporting activities as long as the matter is not under the jurisdiction of their appointed court.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that official court reporters without delinquent work and whose attendance is not required in their court of appointment may engage in freelance reporting.

TIMELINE

Removed the sunset provision that would have repealed the act after June 30, 2025, making the salary increases permanent.

As Introduced → Committee Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to adjust court reporter salary amounts and add a repeal provision. The Committee Substitute lowered the maximum salary for entry-level court reporters from $59,400 to $49,500, while keeping higher tiers unchanged. It also added a repeal clause that would eliminate the act after June 30, 2025, despite setting an effective date of July 1, 2025, creating a contradictory timeline.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on circuit and chancery court reporters in Mississippi, but the repeal provision significantly limits its operational duration.

FISCAL

Maximum annual salary for court reporters with five years or less of experience was reduced from $59,400 to $49,500 in the Committee Substitute version.

TIMELINE

A repeal provision was added stating the act shall be repealed after June 30, 2025, which conflicts with the effective date of July 1, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and markup changes were made throughout the document to reflect the Committee Substitute version.

Court reporters; increase authorized salary for.

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