SB 1386: Courts; requiring Supreme Court to establish certain pilot project; requiring promulgation of certain rules. Effective date. - Oklahoma

SB1386 (3-24-26) (GILLESPIE) FS FA1.PDF → Floor (Senate) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a floor substitute to a committee substitute version, incorporating amendments that clarify definitions, restructure reporting requirements, and adjust pilot project expansion criteria. These changes aim to improve clarity on court reporter shortage definitions and ensure more robust evaluation of the pilot program's effectiveness.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on establishing a pilot program for audio/video recording in courtrooms, but the definition of 'verified court reporter shortage' was expanded to include positions vacant for over 90 days or with projected retirements within 12 months.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'verified court reporter shortage' to clarify when a position counts as vacant for pilot project purposes.

REQUIREMENT

Restructured the reporting requirements to include more detailed metrics on equipment performance and case processing timelines.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the threshold for pilot project expansion from 'open court reporter positions' to 'verified court reporter shortages' to better align with the new definition.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the bill's structure and formatting to reflect committee amendments and improve readability.

Committee Substitute → SB1386 (3-24-26) (GILLESPIE) FS FA1.PDF · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was changed from a Committee Substitute to a Floor Substitute, indicating it has been amended by the Senate and is ready for floor consideration. The substantive text of the bill remains largely the same, with only minor formatting and numbering adjustments. The bill authorizes the Supreme Court to establish a pilot program using audio and video recording equipment in courtrooms where court reporters are unavailable.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on establishing a pilot project for audio/video recording in Oklahoma courtrooms to address court reporter shortages. No substantive changes to the pilot program's requirements, funding, or implementation were made.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document title from 'Committee Substitute' to 'Floor Substitute' to reflect its current legislative status.

Updated the list of Senate sponsors to include McIntosh in addition to Gillespie and Prieto.

Minor formatting adjustments to section headers and line breaks throughout the document.

Updated page reference numbers from 3782 to 3833 in the footer.

Introduced → Committee Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its original introduced version to a committee substitute version, significantly changing its structure and content. The original bill focused on establishing statewide court recording policies, AI-assisted transcripts, and funding for recording systems. The committee substitute version restructures the bill to focus primarily on a pilot project for using video recording equipment when court reporters are unavailable, adds specific definitions for 'verified court reporter shortage', and includes new requirements for annual assessments of court reporter availability and system performance.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from broad statewide recording policy implementation to a focused pilot project approach with specific eligibility criteria based on court reporter shortages.

SCOPE

Changed from comprehensive statewide recording policy to a pilot project limited to courtrooms with verified court reporter shortages.

DEFINITION

Added new definition for 'verified court reporter shortage' as positions vacant for more than 90 days or with projected retirements within 12 months.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for annual statewide assessments of court reporter shortages, system performance, and impact on access to justice.

Added prohibition on photographing or recording jurors, minors, protected victims/witnesses, vulnerable adults, and other confidential persons.

Removed provisions requiring AI-assisted transcript support and confidential audio channels in recording systems.

TIMELINE

Added specific effective date of November 1, 2026, and requirements for five-year comprehensive assessments.

FISCAL

Changed funding approach from general state appropriations for all recording systems to pilot project funding contingent on Supreme Court availability and legislative appropriation for expansion.

Courts; requiring Supreme Court to establish certain pilot project; requiring promulgation of certain rules. Effective date.

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