In a reply sent from his iPad yesterday evening, the chief sponsor of the Less is More Act of 2025 in Tennessee, Rep. William Lamberth, wrote to the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) that, “We are looking into this issue to ensure our court reporters are not negatively affected in any way.” This comes hours after the bill was voted unanimously out of subcommittee, proposing the “termination of the Tennessee Board of Court Reporting and moving its operations and regulatory duties under the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI).”
Lambert’s note was in response to a letter electronically delivered by State Government Relations Manager Colin Brehm on the behalf of the Association President Keith R. Lemons, FAPR, RPR, CRR (Ret.). Lemons, a resident of Spring Hill, Tenn., reminded members of the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee that court reporters “are officers of the court much like lawyers, judges, and bailiffs,” explaining that each profession is regulated by a state board of peers.
The Less is More Act of 2025 (HB 1330/SB 1316) was recommended for passing by the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee on March 4 and will appear before the State and Local Government Committee on March 12 in Nashville with NCRA President Lemons planning on attending to testify.
Update:
On the morning of March 7, Roxana Gumucio of the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance provided further context addressing proposed changes to the state’s court reporting licensure process. NCRA continues to monitor the situation, with testimony being drafted for the Association’s president to deliver in person at the March 12 committee hearing for the Less is More Act of 2025, ensuring the profession’s perspective is represented.
