Existing law regulates official court reporters in the superior courts. Under existing law, a court may use electronic recording equipment in a limited civil case, a misdemeanor or infraction case, or for the internal purpose of monitoring subordinate judicial officer performance. Existing law requires, prior to purchasing or leasing any electronic recording technology or equipment, a court to obtain advance approval from the Judicial Council.
This bill would, until January 1, 2028, authorize the court to use electronic recording technology in civil proceedings when specified circumstances are met, including, among other things, when a litigant who cannot afford to hire a private court reporter has requested a verbatim record of the proceeding. The bill would require the court to follow prescribed procedures when using electronic recording in limited civil cases, misdemeanors, and infractions under existing law, including, among other things, providing public notice that the court is accepting applications from certified shorthand reporters for positions as official court reporters. The bill would require a transcript created from electronic recordings to include a designation for portions of the recording that contain no audible sound or are not discernible. The bill would prohibit courts from purchasing or leasing electronic recording technology or equipment to make verbatim recordings pursuant to these provisions.

Statutes affected:
AB 882: 69957 GOV
02/19/25 - Introduced: 69957 GOV
03/20/25 - Amended Assembly: 69957 GOV
04/09/25 - Amended Assembly: 69957 GOV
06/02/25 - Amended Assembly: 69957 GOV