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HB 25-1301

Authorizing Voice Court Reporter to Give Oath

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Bacon and 19 co-sponsors

Expands who can administer oaths in Colorado by authorizing certified verbatim reporters (voice reporters) to swear witnesses, take affidavits/depositions, and oaths of office.

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · HB 25-1301

HB 25-1301 — Authorizing Voice Court Reporters to Give Oath

Status: Governor signed (effective May 30, 2025)

Purpose / Intent

To expand the class of court personnel authorized to administer oaths and affirmations by adding voice (verbatim) court reporters to the list of professionals who may swear witnesses, take affidavits and depositions, and administer oaths of office.

Key provisions

  • Amends Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-12-103 to include voice court reporters among those authorized to administer oaths and affirmations.
  • Specifically adds certified verbatim reporters and certified verbatim reporter–stenotype (voice reporters) to the existing list (which already includes judges, clerks, registered professional reporters, notaries, members of certain state bodies, etc.).
  • The change applies both to oaths and affirmations in court proceedings and to other lawful occasions when affidavits, depositions, or oaths of office are required.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: certified verbatim/voice court reporters (including those holding certified verbatim reporter or certified verbatim reporter–stenotype credentials), who gain statutory authority to administer oaths.
  • Courts and court staff: gain additional flexibility in selecting personnel available to administer oaths during hearings, depositions, and other proceedings.
  • Witnesses and parties: may be sworn by voice reporters when those reporters are present and certified.
  • No change to the authority of judges, clerks, notaries, and other existing oath‑administrators.

Fiscal and operational impact

  • Legislative Council Staff (final and initial fiscal notes) assess the bill as having no fiscal impact on state or local government.
  • The bill does not change staffing levels required for court proceedings or affect the length of proceedings; no appropriation required.

Legislative timeline & procedural notes

  • Introduced: March 12, 2025 (House Judiciary)
  • Passed House and Senate with no amendments (House 3rd reading: March 31, 2025; Senate 3rd reading: April 17, 2025)
  • Sent to Governor: May 6, 2025
  • Governor signed: May 30, 2025 — effective the same day
  • Statute amended: Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-12-103
  • Safety clause included for immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety.

Sponsors

Primary sponsors: Representatives Michael Carter and Cecelia Espenoza; Senators Dylan Roberts and Julie Gonzales (among others and multiple cosponsors listed).

Practical effect (plain language)

Voice court reporters who hold the specified certifications can now legally administer oaths and affirmations in the same way that stenographic court reporters and other court officers already can — providing courts with more options when sworn testimony, affidavits, or depositions are required.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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