HB545: HB545 Terry Act; enact

When someone appeals a court case in Georgia, a written transcript of the trial often has to be included in the record sent to the appeals court. Current law (O.C.G.A. § 5-6-42) says the appellant, the person appealing, must cause that transcript to be prepared and filed, but it does not specifically say the appellant must request it from a particular court reporter. House Bill 545 rewrites that Code section to add a specific step: when the appellant files the notice of appeal with the clerk of court, the appellant must also request the transcript from the court reporter listed on that notice of appeal. The court reporter then files the transcript with the clerk. The bill keeps the existing rules about the 15 day window for the other side (the appellee) to ask for omitted material, the 30 day deadline to file the transcript, and the trial judge's duty to grant extensions the court reporter needs. The bill names itself the 'Terry Act' and repeals conflicting laws.

• Adds a requirement that the appellant request the trial transcript directly from the court reporter named on the notice of appeal, rather than just generally causing it to be prepared.
• Keeps the existing 15 day deadline for the appellee to designate omitted transcript material to be added back into the appeal record.
• Keeps the existing 30 day deadline for filing the transcript after the notice of appeal or the appellee's designation, unless extended.
• Preserves the trial judge's duty to grant extensions needed for the court reporter to finish the transcript.
• Gives the amendment a short title, calling it the 'Terry Act.'

People who appeal civil or criminal court decisions in Georgia, their attorneys, appellees (the other side in an appeal), court reporters who prepare trial transcripts, and clerks of court who manage the appellate record.

By requiring the appellant to formally request the transcript from the specific court reporter listed on the notice of appeal, the bill aims to clarify who is responsible for starting the transcript process, which could affect how quickly appeals move forward and reduce confusion over missed or delayed transcript requests.

• Section 1 names the bill the 'Terry Act.'
• Section 2 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 5-6-42 to require the appellant to request the transcript from the court reporter listed on the notice of appeal when filing that notice with the clerk of court.
• Section 2 retains the rule that the court reporter files the transcript with the clerk as provided in O.C.G.A. § 5-6-41.
• Section 2 keeps the existing 30 day filing deadline and the trial judge's authority to grant extensions for the court reporter to complete the transcript.
• Section 3 repeals all laws and parts of laws that conflict with the Act.

1. 2026-03-04House Postponed (House)
2. 2026-03-03House Postponed (House)
3. 2026-02-06House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
4. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
5. 2025-02-26House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
6. 2025-02-24House Second Readers (House)
7. 2025-02-21House First Readers (House)
8. 2025-02-20House Hopper (House)

• Sheila Jones (D, HD-060)Primary sponsor

• court appeals
• transcripts
• court reporters
• civil procedure
• judicial process