Bill > AB882

This bill addresses electronic court reporting by allowing California courts to use electronic recording technology in civil proceedings under specific circumstances, primarily when a litigant cannot afford a private court reporter and requests a verbatim record of the proceeding. The bill establishes detailed requirements for courts using electronic recording, including providing public notice for court reporter job openings, making reasonable efforts to hire and retain official court reporters, and maintaining records of recruitment and hiring activities. Courts must find that a litigant cannot afford a private court reporter based on criteria such as having been granted a waiver of court fees or being represented by a nonprofit legal aid organization. The bill prohibits electronic recording in certain sensitive proceedings like juvenile dependency and criminal cases. It also creates a grievance and arbitration process for resolving disputes about compliance with these provisions, and requires transcripts from electronic recordings to designate portions that are inaudible or unintelligible. The provisions are set to expire on January 1, 2028, and courts are explicitly prohibited from purchasing electronic recording equipment specifically for making verbatim recordings under this law.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB882