Shorthand reporters.

Existing law requires, upon court order or, in certain cases, upon request of a party to the action, an official court reporter or reporter pro tempore to take down in shorthand all testimony, objections made, rulings of the court, exceptions taken, arraignments, pleas, sentences, arguments of the attorneys to the jury, and statements and remarks made and oral instructions given by the judge or other judicial officer. Existing law requires shorthand reporters to be licensed and regulated by the Court Reporters Board of California, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law prohibits a person from being appointed to the position of official reporter of any court unless the person has first obtained a license to practice as a certified shorthand reporter from the board. Existing law requires applicants and licensees to pay a fee that is deposited into the Court Reporters' Fund, which is a continuously appropriated fund, except fine and penalty money in the fund is not continuously appropriated. Existing law makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor. This bill would prohibit an individual or entity that engages in any act that constitutes shorthand reporting, or that employs or contracts with another party to perform shorthand reporting, as specified, from engaging in specified business practices. Because a violation of these provisions would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also authorize the Attorney General, a district attorney, a city attorney, or the board to bring a civil action for a violation of these provisions and would subject an individual or entity that violates these provisions to a civil fine not exceeding $10,000 per violation, as specified. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.