A.  The “practice of shorthand reporting” is defined as the making, by written symbols or abbreviations in shorthand or machine writing, or stenomask voice recording, of a verbatim record of any oral court proceeding, sworn statement, public hearing, deposition, or proceeding.

B.  The “practice of court reporting” is defined as the making of a verbatim record of any oral court proceeding, sworn statement, public hearing, deposition, or related proceeding by the use of written symbols or abbreviations in shorthand or machine writing, stenomask voice recording, computer assisted technology, or other means.  A “certified court reporter” is a person certified to engage in the practice of court reporting as provided for in La. Rev. Stat. 37:2554, including the practice of shorthand reporting.

C.  An “official court reporter” is a person appointed to serve as the official reporter for a court of record either as a permanent or temporary employee, who actually is employed as such, and who actually is a salaried employee on the payroll of a court of record.

D.  A “deputy official court reporter” is a person appointed and who actually serves as an interim court reporter for a court of record during the absence or incapacity of the official court reporter for a court of record, and who actually is a salaried employee on the payroll of the court of record.

E.  A “general or free-lance reporter” is a person engaged in the reporting and transcribing of depositions, sworn statements, or public hearings or proceedings, whether self-employed or through any business, firm, corporation or agency, engaged in the reporting of depositions, sworn statements, or public hearings or proceedings.

F.  The “practice of digital reporting” is defined as the making of a verbatim record of any oral court proceeding through the use of digital, electronic, or audio recording equipment transcribed into a written record of the proceeding by an official or deputy official reporter who has been certified to engage in the practice of digital reporting as a certified electronic reporter and transcriber by the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers or any other national or state recognized association or organization which is approved by the board and authorized or licensed to provide education and certification for professionals engaged in digital reporting and transcribing a verbatim record of oral court proceedings, and which is approved by the judge or court employing the services of the court reporter, or any official or deputy official reporter who has satisfied equivalent testing and certification requirements established by the board.

G.  A “court reporting firm” is defined as any person, company, corporation,  organization, partnership, group, limited liability entity, commercial enterprise, or other entity doing business in Louisiana that is owned or controlled by a person who is not licensed by the board to practice court reporting and that engages others or itself engages in any aspect of the practice of court reporting as defined by statute or by rule, including such activities as arranging for or engaging the services of a licensed court reporter, reporting, recording, taking, producing, transcribing, delivering, or invoicing depositions, court proceedings, sworn statement, or other similar preservation of testimony, or any other activities as identified in rules promulgated by the board.  A lawyer admitted to practice in Louisiana, or a group of lawyers, or a law firm, or the clerical or administrative employees of such are not to be considered a court reporting firm as defined herein.  A court reporting firm is considered a “person” and a “reporter” for the purposes of this Chapter.

Acts 1990, No. 940, §1, eff. July 25, 1990; Acts 1993, No. 908, §1, eff. June 23, 1993; Acts 2010, No. 700, §1; Acts 2014, No. 839, §1.