Bill to raise RT fees

David Ettinger points out AB 2757, introduced last week, which is "An act to amend Section 69951 of, to amend, repeal, and add Section 69950 of, and to add and repeal Section 69950.5 of, the Government Code, relating to court reporters." The Legislative Counsel's Digest explains:

Existing law provides that, except as specified, the fee for original transcripts prepared by an official court reporter or by a court reporter pro tempore is $0.85 for each 100 words, and for each copy purchased at the same time, $0.15 for each 100 words. Existing law provides that, except as specified, the fee for a first copy of a transcript by a person who does not simultaneously purchase the original transcript is $0.20 for each 100 words, and for each additional copy purchased at the same time, $0.15 for each 100 words. Existing law authorizes a court reporter, in civil cases, to charge an additional 50% for special daily copy service.

This bill would increase the fee charged for original transcripts and copies purchased at the same time, and copies purchased thereafter without the original transcript, incrementally commencing January 1, 2019, except as specified. The bill would also provide that the fee for transcription is an additional 50% for special daily copy service. The bill would require the Judicial Council to report to the Legislature by January 1, 2023, with regard to transcript fees, as specified. 

Specifically, this bill would raise the cost from 85 to 93 cents for each 100 words for originals and from 15 to 16 cents for simultaneously purchased copies; and for non-simultaneous originals, the cost goes up from 20 to 21 cents and from 15 to 16 cents. This would apply for 2019 and 2020.