The legislation explicitly prohibits trial courts from unilaterally altering practices regarding the determination of page word count and folios, which are critical for standardizing transcription services. It mandates a comprehensive report to be submitted by the Judicial Council by January 1, 2023, focusing on creating more uniformity in transcription rate expenditures and ensuring that the changes do not negatively impact the compensation of court reporters, which some advocates argue is crucial for attracting skilled reporters to the judiciary. The bill underscores the state's commitment to addressing longstanding issues within court reporter compensation and aims to prevent the erosion of local standards that arise when compensation is insufficient.
Senate Bill 991, introduced by Senator Lena Gonzalez, addresses the fee structure associated with court transcription services in California. It specifically revises existing legislation governing how much court reporters can charge for transcriptions. The current fees, which have not been adjusted for over three decades, range from $0.85 to $0.20 per 100 words depending on the circumstances of the transcript's request. Under SB 991, these fees would be increased significantly, with the new rates set at $1.13 for the original transcription and higher fees for additional copies, effective July 1, 2021. This adjustment aims to ensure fair compensation for court reporters and to update a fee structure long overdue for revision.
While many stakeholders support the proposed changes, citing the need for equitable compensation, there could be concerns about the overall budget implications for the judicial system and the potential burden placed on the court services due to increased costs. Opponents may argue that raising fees could restrict access to court facilities for individuals who require transcription services. Moreover, the removal of the reference to civil cases concerning additional charges for special daily service may also raise eyebrows regarding fairness and transparency across different types of legal proceedings.