Courts: fees.

The California Assembly Judiciary Committee proposes new limits on court fees and expanded public access to electronic records through legislation that modifies how courts charge for services and manage digital documents. The measure prohibits courts from charging videoconferencing fees that exceed their actual costs and requires electronic court records to be viewable on-site, regardless of remote accessibility.

Under the proposal, members of the public gain the right to photograph or copy accessible court records using their own equipment without fees, provided the reproduction method does not damage records or compromise court computer systems. Courts may impose reasonable restrictions to protect document safety and maintain orderly operations. The legislation also mandates that any fees not explicitly authorized by existing law receive Judicial Council approval.

The Judicial Council must submit detailed reports to the Legislature documenting court fees, beginning with a comprehensive review of all fees charged through 2026, followed by annual updates on new fees. These reports will include information about services provided, fee amounts, approval dates, usage statistics, and actual costs to courts. The measure defines allowable charges as the estimated per-user cost of providing services not directly funded by the Legislature.