CT. REPORTER, RECORDER TRANSCRIPT FEES                                          S.B. 1070 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 1070 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Joe Hune

Committee:  Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to increase the payment due to circuit court reporters or recorders for transcripts, and delete provisions pertaining to the payment due to reporters and recorders for transcripts ordered and filed as part of a program for differentiated case management.

The Act provides that circuit court reporters or recorders are entitled to demand and receive per page for a transcript ordered by any person $1.75 per original page and $0.30 per page for each copy, unless a lower rate is agreed upon.

Under the bill, reporters or recorders would be entitled to receive $3.50 per original page and $0.75 per page for each copy, unless a lower rate is agreed on.

The Act also allows the Michigan Supreme Court, by administrative order or court rule, to authorize the payment to circuit court reporters the sum of $3.00 per original page and $0.50 per page for each copy for transcripts ordered and timely filed as part of a program of differentiated case management for appeals of civil cases in which the circuit court either grants or denies summary disposition. If a transcript ordered under a program of differentiated case management is not timely filed, the circuit court reporter or recorder is not entitled to receive the increased rate for that transcript. The bill would delete these provisions.

MCL 600.2543                                                         Legislative Analyst:  Stephen Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a nominal fiscal impact on the State and local government. Civil litigants would primarily incur the additional costs of increased transcript fees under the bill. State or local government agencies would only incur costs if they were a party in an applicable case, and the extent of the fiscal impact would depend upon the quantity of transcripts ordered.

Date Completed:  12-6-18                                                   Fiscal Analyst:  Abbey Frazier

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.