AB 1522 Summary

• Extends the Transcript Reimbursement Fund operation from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2021, allowing continued reimbursement of shorthand reporting costs for low-income litigants in civil cases

• Maintains the $300,000 annual transfer from the Court Reporters' Fund to the Transcript Reimbursement Fund at the beginning of each fiscal year

• Keeps the annual cap of $30,000 total disbursements for indigent pro se applicants and limits reimbursement to $1,500 per case for those applicants

• Requires the Court Reporters Board to continue publicizing fund availability to prospective applicants and maintain reimbursement procedures for qualified legal services projects, pro bono attorneys, and eligible individuals

• Declares the bill an urgency statute to take effect immediately to ensure continued access to court reporters for indigent persons