Nevada’s New Era of Court Reporting: What SB 191 Means for 2026 and Beyond
Nevada’s courtroom recording rules are entering a new phase. With the passage of Senate Bill 191, the state is clarifying how digital and audio-visual recording systems may be used—and drawing clear boundaries on the role of AI in producing official transcripts. Here’s what legal professionals, court reporters, and administrators need to know before the law takes full effect in 2026.
What It Is
During Nevada’s 2025 legislative session, Senate Bill 191 updated the statutes governing how courts create and certify official records.
The law—signed June 6, 2025 and effective January 1, 2026—allows municipal courts, in addition to district and justice courts, to record proceedings using digital audio systems operated by a designated person under oath.
Earlier drafts would have created a new “legal video recorder” license, but that language was removed. The enacted bill reaffirms that while digital recording is authorized, the official record remains a human-certified transcript—even if digital or AI tools are used to prepare drafts.
Why It Matters
Nevada’s courts increasingly depend on systems such as JAVS (Justice AV Solutions) to capture proceedings when certified reporters are unavailable. SB 191 modernizes the law without abandoning professional oversight:
- Digital Recording Permitted Statewide: All court levels may record proceedings, with municipal courts formally added in 2026.
- AI Transcripts Are Not Official: Any transcript must be reviewed and certified under oath by a human before it can be filed or cited.
- Oversight Maintained: The Certified Court Reporters’ Board of Nevada continues to regulate licensure and fee standards for official reporters.
The bottom line: Nevada now acknowledges technology’s role in courtroom efficiency while preserving the human accountability that gives legal records their integrity.
How to Learn More
For attorneys, reporters, and court staff adapting to this shift, Discovery Legal Services has prepared a Nevada Court Recording Quick Reference (2025 – 2026)—a one-page guide covering:
- Which courts can use digital recording
- Who may operate equipment and certify transcripts
- How AI fits within current Nevada law
- Key effective dates and oversight provisions
Prepared by Discovery Legal Services, LLC
Litigation Support and Certified Court Reporting in Nevada and the Southwest