S.B. No. 677

	AN ACT
	relating to the electronic recording of proceedings in a statutory
	probate court in Collin County.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 25.0453, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
	(g)  The judge of a statutory probate court may, unless a
	party objects, provide that a proceeding be recorded by a good
	quality electronic recording device instead of by a court reporter.
	A stenographic record of an electronically recorded proceeding is
	not required except on order of the judge. If a recording device is
	used, the court reporter is not required to be present to certify
	the record. The judge may designate one or more persons to act as
	the court recorder and shall assign to a court recorder the duties
	and responsibilities necessary to act in that capacity.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
	to a proceeding commenced on or after the effective date of this
	Act.  A proceeding commenced before the effective date of this Act
	is covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective
	date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that
	purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 677 passed the Senate on
	March 21, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 677 passed the House on
	May 20, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 0, two
	present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor