NCRA has launched a legislative advocacy campaign to uphold judicial integrity and protect the role of court reporters as guardians of the record who safeguard the administration and restoration of justice across the nation. Led by NCRA State Government Relations Manager Colin Brehm, this initiative has seen a flurry of engagement with state legislators and governors in states from California to West Virginia. These efforts aim to promote the court reporting, professional captioning, and legal videography professions that the storied 126-year-old Association represents as well as to foster job creation, retain student interest, and counter the growing threat of often foreign-based artificial intelligence (AI) in America’s justice system.
Under the direction of NCRA President Keith R. Lemons, FAPR, RPR, CRR (Ret.), this effort addresses a diverse array of bills tailored to the unique needs of each state. In Louisiana, support for SB6 highlights a pragmatic solution to staffing shortages by allowing retired court reporters to return to work without losing retirement benefits. “This measure prioritizes the administration and restoration of justice,” Lemons wrote to Senate Retirement Committee Chair Sen. Ed Price and Gov. Jeff Landry, emphasizing how court reporters’ expertise strengthens judicial districts in need.
In states like Massachusetts (S.101), Maryland (HB1363), New Mexico (HB49), and Washington (SB5486), NCRA has rallied behind legislation mandating professional captioning in public spaces such as theaters and telecommunications. These bills underscore the critical need for equal access. Lemons has expressed support for certified captioners over flawed AI alternatives.
“Automatically generated captioning consistently proves inadequate,” Lemons noted to Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson. He outlined how professional captioners deliver precision that technology cannot match, ensuring inclusivity for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Similarly in New Jersey (A3837), NCRA supported captioning in state buildings, reinforcing local jobs and accessibility for the public regardless of their status as members of the deaf or hard-of-hearing communities.
Mississippi’s SB2899, signed into law on March 18, 2025, earned NCRA’s gratitude for reinforcing court reporters’ role as guardians of the record. Letters to Gov. Tate Reeves and Sens. Sarita Simmons and Brice Wiggins praised the bipartisan support that recognized judicial integrity and local jobs. In Rhode Island, SB354’s proposed increase in transcription fees was hailed as “an investment in judicial integrity and the local communities court reporters serve,” as Lemons wrote to Gov. Dan McKee and Sen. Matthew LaMountain.
In California NCRA has taken a firm stand against AB 882, which proposes electronic court reporting throughout the state’s justice system. Letters to House Judiciary Committee Chair Assembly Member Ash Kalra and Gov. Gavin Newsom warned of “significant pitfalls.” Lemons emphasized, “To outsource any of [court reporters’] duties to electronic means is, in effect, an outsourcing of due process for Californians,” highlighting the irreplaceable human judgment and real-time adaptability of certified professionals over fallible technology.
Likewise in West Virginia, NCRA voiced strong opposition to HB 3274, which would permit electronic recording of court proceedings. Letters to Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Delegates JB Akers, Joe Funkhouser, Bill Flanigan, and Tristan Leavitt cautioned against AI’s risks, citing potential inaccuracies and security threats from foreign-based transcription services.
Brehm’s correspondence to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin regarding HB1642 and HB2094 tied similar concern to a 2025 Executive Order by President Donald J. Trump urging American dominance in AI and highlighting the ethical issues outlined in NCRA’s white paper on AI in legal proceedings. “Addressing unregulated, often foreign-based AI entities must be a top priority at all levels of government,” Brehm stated, noting that an executive summary of the Association’s white paper was delivered to Youngkin to provide further context.
Elsewhere, Nevada’s SB191 would enhance oversight of court reporting firms, and NCRA pushed for inclusive input from both official and freelance reporters. NCRA lauded New York’s S4899, which would grant court reporters peace officer status, bolstering their authority to maintain order and produce uninterrupted records as noted in letters to Sen. Zellnor Myrie and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
This strategic approach offers lawmakers resources and member insights via NCRA’s Government Relations Department. NCRA’s hands-on engagement ensures that legislation reflects the real-world expertise of the Association’s community from addressing AI’s shortcomings to inspiring students to join the storied ranks of court reporters, professional captioners, and legal videographers. By prioritizing human skills over unregulated and unproven automation, NCRA is not only protecting current jobs, but is also building a pipeline for future professionals.
For the past year NCRA’s Government Relations Department has emphasized positioning members — not just managers — as leaders in a national conversation about justice, accessibility, and professional integrity. Whether it is celebrating victories like Mississippi’s SB2899, fighting against threats like California’s AB 882 and West Virginia’s HB 3274, or advocating for equal access in multiple states, these efforts reflect the priorities, shared values, and critical role of our members.
As Lemons wrote to countless officials, “We stand ready to assist.”
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