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HB 1393 — Court Interpreter Services
by Reps. Tuck, Joseph, and others (CS/SB 1660 by Judiciary Committee and Senator Torres)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Judiciary Committee (JU)
The bill authorizes the State Courts System to spend state revenues to provide court-appointed interpreting services to non-indigent people if:
- Funds are available in the fiscal year appropriation for due process services; and
- Interpreting services are provided as prescribed by the Supreme Court.
This bill creates an exception to the general rule that state revenues may not be provided to non-indigent people for due process services. Due process services include, but are not limited to, court reporting services, court interpreter and translation services, and expert witness services.
The bill also repeals the requirement that a trial court administrator recover the cost of court interpreter services.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 116-0