Electronic court reporting.

Assembly Member Papan's legislation authorizes California courts to use electronic recording technology in civil proceedings when litigants who cannot afford private court reporters request verbatim records. The authorization applies only when courts lack sufficient official or pro tempore reporters after conducting due diligence in recruitment efforts.

The measure establishes specific criteria for determining financial need, including court fee waivers, representation by nonprofit legal aid organizations, or demonstrated inability to afford private reporting services. Courts must follow prescribed procedures before implementing electronic recording, including public notices of reporter positions, maintaining recruitment records, and offering employment to qualified certified shorthand reporters absent reasonable grounds for rejection. The authorization excludes juvenile, criminal, and civil commitment proceedings.

Courts using electronic recording must document inaudible or unintelligible portions of recordings in transcripts. The Judicial Council will develop standardized forms and collect quarterly data from trial courts on reporter applications and hiring outcomes, making this information publicly available online. A formal grievance and arbitration process through the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service will address compliance disputes between courts and reporter organizations. The provisions expire January 1, 2028.