(a) When needed in order that the judicial business of the superior court in the county may be diligently carried on and a particular matter may proceed to trial or hearing without delay, a pro tempore official reporter may be appointed to perform the duties of a phonographic reporter in that matter, or until a regular official reporter becomes available for that service. A pro tempore official reporter who is present in the courtroom providing that service may be appointed by the presiding judge of the court or the judge presiding in the department where the reporter will serve. If the appointment is made for service in a contested matter, it shall be made only pursuant to a written stipulation of the parties appearing at the trial or hearing or other proceeding to be reported by the pro tempore reporter or pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 68086.

(b) A pro tempore official reporter who is licensed as described in Section 69942, and who has been appointed a pro tempore official reporter by the court pursuant to Section 69941, and is present in the courtroom may serve in any matter without further order of the court or stipulation of the parties.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 497, Sec. 2. (AB 2664) Effective January 1, 2019.)