Bill Caption

Relating to the registration and regulation of certain communication access realtime translation providers; imposing a civil penalty; authorizing fees.

Fiscal Notes

Bill Analysis

This bill would amend the Government Code to allow a person to engage in the practice of communication access realtime translation if the person obtains a certificate of registration. The office of court administration would establish the training, educational, and experience requirements. The commission would also establish and maintain a registry of communication access realtime translation (CART) providers and have the authority to impose fees for obtaining and renewing certificates of registration. Finally, a violation under this bill would constitute a civil penalty between $50 and $2,000 per day. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Currently, the act of real-time speech to text translation does not require certification. This bill violates our free market, individual liberty, and limited government principles by creating a certification requirement and registry of certified CART providers. By creating a certification process individuals are forced to spend more time complying with government mandates rather than business related activities making it more difficult to earn a living. It is not the proper role of the state to increase its regulatory footprint by regulating this profession. For these reasons, we oppose HB 3374.