CA AB882

Authorizes courts to use electronic recording technology in civil proceedings until January 1, 2028, when a litigant who cannot afford a private court reporter requests a verbatim record and no official court reporter is available

Requires courts to find a litigant cannot afford a private court reporter if they have been granted a fee waiver, are represented by a nonprofit legal aid organization, or demonstrate financial inability to the court

Mandates courts lacking sufficient reporters to publicly post job openings on major court reporter job boards and at California court reporting schools, and offer employment to all qualified certified shorthand reporter applicants unless there is a reasonable basis for rejection

Establishes a grievance and binding arbitration process through the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service for disputes between recognized employee organizations and courts regarding compliance with reporter hiring requirements

Requires trial courts to report quarterly to the Judicial Council on court reporter applications received, employment offers made, and acceptances, with data to be published on the Judicial Council's website