Court Reporters Board reviews fund condition and Transcript Reimbursement Fund payouts; staff flags possible fee study

Board staff reviewed the board’s budget and the condition of its special fund, reporting planned transfers to the Transcript Reimbursement Fund and current TRF payouts.

The executive officer told the board that staff is “projecting transferring 100,000 to the TRF next fiscal year and 200,000 in each of the following 2 years,” and that the months in reserve are projected to approach six months by the 2026–27 fiscal year. Staff said when operating reserves fall below six months, transfers to the TRF cannot be made. The board’s current renewal fee was reported as $225 per year and the statutory cap was stated as $250 per year; staff recommended beginning background work for any fee‑increase study because such a change requires time and supporting analysis.

Paula Bruning, who presented on the Transcript Reimbursement Fund, provided payout figures: “to date, for this fiscal year, we started July 1. We have paid out over 37,000 in invoices for the pro bono program, which entails approximately 56 invoices. On the pro per side, we have paid out over 31,000 and provisionally approved nearly 12,000.” Board members asked clarifying questions about the numbers and about the TRF funding mechanism and caps.

The item drew no formal policy vote during the meeting. Board members discussed monitoring reserves and whether to initiate fee‑study work in advance of potential need; staff said a study would take time and that board staff would bring the matter back if new information or a formal recommendation were appropriate.