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 prohibit the Judicial Council from granting approval for the purchase or lease of electronic recording technology or equipment solely for purposes of monitoring subordinate judicial officer performance. The bill would also, until January 1, 2028, authorize a court to issue a general order authorizing electronic recording on a temporary basis whenever a transcript of court proceedings is required in family law, probate, and civil contempt proceedings if specified requirements are met. 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 discernable. The bill would prohibit courts from purchasing or leasing electronic recording technology or equipment to make verbatim recordings pursuant to these provisions.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

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