Court reporters: electronic transcripts.

Existing law requires an official reporter or official reporter pro tempore of the superior court to take down in shorthand specified information regarding the testimony and proceedings before the court in civil cases, felony cases, and misdemeanor or infraction cases on order of the court, and in only civil cases or felony cases, at the request of a party or counsel. Existing law authorizes a court, party, or other person entitled to a transcript to request that it be delivered in computer-readable form, except as specified. This bill would instead require an official reporter or official reporter pro tempore to deliver a transcript in electronic form, in compliance with the California Rules of Court, to any court, party, or person entitled to the transcript, as specified, unless, among other things, the party or person requests the transcript in paper form. The bill would provide that an official reporter or official reporter pro tempore is not required to use a specific vendor, technology, or software to comply with this requirement unless he or she agrees with the court, party, or person entitled to the transcript to use a specific vendor, technology, or software.