Bill > AB882

This bill addresses electronic court reporting in California by establishing new provisions for when and how courts can use electronic recording technology in civil proceedings. Until January 1, 2028, courts will be authorized to use electronic recording when they cannot find sufficient court reporters to provide verbatim records, particularly when a litigant who cannot afford a private court reporter requests such a record. The bill mandates specific requirements for courts using electronic recording, including providing public notice for court reporter job openings, making reasonable efforts to hire qualified certified shorthand reporters, and maintaining detailed records of recruitment and hiring activities. The legislation requires that transcripts from electronic recordings include designations for any inaudible or unintelligible portions. A litigant will be considered unable to afford a private court reporter if they have been granted a court fee waiver, are represented by a nonprofit legal aid organization, or can demonstrate financial hardship. The bill also establishes a grievance and arbitration process for resolving disputes about compliance with these provisions and requires the Judicial Council to develop official forms and publicly report quarterly data about court reporter applications. Importantly, electronic recording is explicitly prohibited in certain sensitive proceedings like juvenile, criminal, and civil commitment cases.

Budget and Finance, Justice

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