AB 882: Electronic court reporting.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law regulates official court reporters in the superior courts. Under existing law, a court may use electronic recording equipment in a limited civil case, a misdemeanor or infraction case, or for the internal purpose of monitoring subordinate judicial officer performance. Existing law requires, prior to purchasing or leasing any electronic recording technology or equipment, a court to obtain advance approval from the Judicial Council.

This bill would, until January 1, 2028, authorize the court to use electronic recording technology in civil proceedings when specified circumstances are met, including, among other things, when a litigant who cannot afford to retain a private court reporter has requested a verbatim record of the proceeding. The bill would require a court to find that a litigant cannot afford to retain a private court reporter if any specified circumstances are met, including when the litigant has been granted a waiver of court fees for the proceeding. The bill would require the court to follow prescribed procedures when the court lacks sufficient reporters or official reporters pro tempore to provide verbatim records, as specified, including, among other things, providing public notice that the court is accepting applications from certified shorthand reporters for positions as official court reporters. The bill would set forth a grievance and arbitration process for resolving disputes regarding compliance with these provisions, as specified. The bill would require a transcript created from electronic recordings to include a designation for portions of the recording that contain no audible sound or are not discernible.

The bill would require the Judicial Council to develop and approve official forms for use in trial courts consistent with the above provisions. The bill would require each trial court to report to the Judicial Council, on a quarterly basis, specified information, including, among other things, the number of applications received by the court from certified shorthand reporters. The bill would require the Judicial Council to make this information public available on its internet website.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. June 30, 2026In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2. July 17, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.
3. July 15, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
4. June 23, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.
5. June 18, 2025Referred to Coms. on JUD. and PUB. S.
6. June 5, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
7. June 4, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 62. Noes 4. Page 2084.)
8. June 2, 2025Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading. (Page 1952.)
9. May 27, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. May 23, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (May 23).
11. April 30, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
12. April 10, 2025Re-referred to Com. on APPR.