The Louisiana Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters is a component of the State of Louisiana created within the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, as provided by Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:2551-2560. As of July 1, 2001, the Board was placed under the Office of the Governor. During the Legislative Session of 2009 under Act 438, section 17(A) the Revised Statutes 37:2551 and 2552(A) were amended and reenacted, effective as of August 15, 2009. Link to RS 37:2551: http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=93711
The Louisiana Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters was created for the purpose of encouraging proficiency in the practice of court reporting as a profession, promoting efficiency in court and general reporting, and extending to the courts and to the public the protection afforded by a standardized profession by establishing a standard of competency for those persons engaged in it.
The Board is composed of nine board members. Four members shall be appointed by the Supreme Court of Louisiana. One of the members shall be a judge, and three shall be certified court reporters. Three members shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Each member shall be a certified court reporter. One member shall be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives. The member shall be an attorney. One member shall be appointed by the president of the Senate. The member shall be an attorney. A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Members of the board shall be appointed for three year terms, except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term shall be appointed for the remainder of such term only. Members of the board shall continue in office until their successors are appointed and qualified.
Operations of the Board are funded with fees collected by the Board.
The Board meets typically every two months, though meetings may be held more frequently. The Chairman assigns the committees, which may change when a new Chairman takes office.
The Board makes final decisions on all matters at Board meetings. A matter that comes before the Board is usually assigned to a committee by the Chairman. The committees hold meetings between Board meetings to study and discuss the matters assigned to them, and then make recommendations to the Board.