(a) A record of a hearing or prehearing conference shall be made in a manner consistent with the purpose of 1 TAC §155.423. Because of the nature of TRS proceedings and the expense of stenographic recordings and transcripts, it is the policy of TRS to rely on an audio or video recording as the official record of the proceeding, regardless of the anticipated length of the hearing.     
      (b) TRS may assess the cost of preparation of a stenographic recording or transcript against a party requesting such, or against other parties as appropriate. Cost of a transcript copy ordered by a party shall be paid by that party. TRS may require a deposit or full payment of the estimated costs by a party against whom costs have been assessed in advance of arranging for a court reporter to be present at the hearing or in advance of preparation of the transcript. If no party requests stenographic recording of a proceeding or preparation of a transcript by a court reporter but the administrative law judge so requires, TRS may assess the cost to one or more parties or may request that TRS not be required to bear the costs.     
      (c) In the alternative to a stenographic recording or transcript prepared by a court reporter, TRS may prepare a transcript from a video or audio tape of the proceeding. The transcript prepared by TRS may be considered the official record of the proceeding. TRS may obtain the official audio or video recording from the administrative law judge for purposes of preparing the transcript. A party who objects to a TRS-prepared transcript and requests that proceedings be stenographically recorded or transcribed by a court reporter may be required to pay the costs of such recording and transcription.     
      (d) A stenographic reporter shall recognize that TRS may print and distribute additional copies of the transcript as necessary to conduct its business and shall maintain the confidentiality of information presented at hearing.     
      (e) A party who desires the services of a certified language interpreter for any part of the contested case proceedings is responsible for arranging for the interpreter and paying for the services.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §43.37 adopted to be effective March 12, 2003, 28 TexReg 2115; amended to be effective March 8, 2007, 32 TexReg 1095; amended to be effective April 1, 2011, 36 TexReg 2002