Unless otherwise specifically provided, the determination of whether a county has the population prescribed in this article shall be made on the basis of the 1950 federal census.

Unless otherwise specifically provided, the provisions of this article apply in each county described as follows:

under 700,000.

Unless otherwise specifically provided the provisions of this article apply in a county with a population of 290,000 or more and under 295,000.

Unless otherwise specifically provided, the provisions of this article apply to a county with a population of over 45,000 and under 46,750, as determined on the basis of the 1950 federal census.

The provisions of this article are applicable in a county described in subdivisions (a) and (c) of Section 70041 only if the board of supervisors of such county by resolution adopts the procedure for the appointment and compensation of official phonographic reporters provided for in this article.

To assist the court in the transaction of its judicial business by having the duties of phonographic reporters performed, a majority of the judges of the superior court of the county may appoint as many regular official phonographic reporters as necessary to report the proceedings in the court and to perform such duties. The number of reporters so appointed shall not exceed at any one time the number of offices of judge provided by law for the court. The reporters shall hold office during the pleasure of a majority of the judges of the court. The number of reporters and compensation of reporters in counties over 2,000,000 population shall be as provided in Section 69894.1.

The number of official reporters in a county of the 2nd class as provided in Section 28023 shall be but shall not exceed at any one time the total number of judges provided by law for the court and the number of referees appointed pursuant to Section 553 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

tempore reporter or pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 68086.

In any county having a population of over 250,000 and under 277,000, as determined by the 1950 federal census, the fee for reporting testimony and proceedings in contested cases is thirty-five dollars ($35) a day, and the fee for reporting each default or uncontested action or proceeding is seven dollars ($7).

The official reporter shall report to the court when ordered to do so by any judge of the court, and when not ordered to so report, the reporter may be employed in his professional capacity elsewhere.

In San Mateo County, official reporters shall be appointed by the judges of the consolidated superior and municipal courts pursuant to the provisions of Section 70043 or 72194 and shall serve at the pleasure of the judges.

At the time each reporter is hired, the salary of that reporter shall be fixed in the same manner as provided for classified or unclassified employees of the county under the authority of the county charter. A step advancement from step A to step B may be granted on the first day of the pay period following the completion of 26 full weeks of service in the position. A person may advance to steps C, D, and E upon completion of successive 52-week periods of service. All merit increases as provided herein shall be made at the determination of the judges of the court.

In addition to new employees, the salaries herein provided for shall be applicable to regular official reporters employed by the county on the effective date of this section and for the purpose of determining the salaries to be paid after this section becomes effective, all years of service rendered by reporters to the county prior to the effective date of this section

shall be counted in determining the salary to which they are entitled under the salary schedule above mentioned.

The per diem compensation for pro tempore reporters shall be one-tenth of step E in the appropriate biweekly salary range established for official reporters, provided, however, that that rate of per diem compensation shall be prorated on the basis of one-half day of compensation if the pro tempore reporter renders only one-half day of service.

Vacation allowances and sick leave allowances for official reporters shall be the same as provided for classified or unclassified employees of the county under the authority of the county charter.

than that provided by subdivision (a), the higher rate of compensation shall be effective at the same time and in the same manner as other rates of pay for San Mateo County employees generally. Those higher rates shall be payable by the county in the same manner and from the same funds as other salary demands against the county. Any change in compensation made pursuant to this subdivision shall be on an interim basis and shall expire on January 1 after the adjournment of the next regular session of the Legislature unless ratified or superseded by a statute enacted at the session.

Each official reporter shall perform the

duties required of him or her by law. In addition, he or she shall render stenographic or clerical assistance, or both, to the judge or judges of the consolidated superior and municipal courts as the judge or judges may direct.

In a county having a population of 70,000 or less, as determined by the 1940 federal census, and having two or more superior court judges, each regular official reporter shall be paid an annual salary of four thousand two hundred dollars ($4,200), and each pro tempore official reporter shall be paid fifteen dollars ($15) a day for the days he actually is on duty under order of the court.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 70045 of this code, in Trinity County, each regular official court reporter shall receive an annual salary of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) unless the board of supervisors shall by ordinance provide for compensation in excess of that amount, payable in monthly installments out of the salary fund of the county, for the reporting and taking notes in criminal cases and juvenile court cases in the superior court, and in preliminary examinations of those accused of crime before magistrates, and of proceedings before the grand jury and at coroner’s inquests when requested by the coroner, and for other services such reporters shall

receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of Chapter 5 of Title 8, such fees in civil cases to be paid by the litigants as provided by law.

Reporters pro tempore may be paid a per diem of seventy-five dollars ($75) as provided in Section 69948 and other fees set forth in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of Chapter 5 of Title 8, and shall receive from the county their necessary traveling and other expenses when necessarily called from other counties, but a reporter pro tempore shall be paid a per diem or expenses by the county only when the regular official court reporters are occupied in the superior court, or at preliminary examinations, grand jury hearings or coroner’s inquests.

The board of supervisors of such a county may provide the court reporters with equipment for the performance of their duties.

Notwithstanding Section 70045, in Modoc County each regular official court reporter shall receive an annual salary to be determined by ordinance by the board of supervisors, payable in monthly installments out of the salary fund of the county, for the reporting and taking notes in criminal cases and juvenile court cases in the superior court, and in preliminary examination of those accused of crime before magistrates, and of proceedings before the grand jury and at coroner’s inquests when requested by the coroner.

In Modoc County, reporters pro tempore shall be paid a per diem, as set by

law, and shall receive from the county their necessary traveling and other expenses when called from other counties. However, a reporter pro tempore shall be paid a per diem or expenses by the county only when the regular official court reporters are occupied in the superior court, or at preliminary examinations, grand jury hearings, or coroner’s inquests.

For all reporter’s services in Modoc County in civil cases as set forth in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of Chapter 5 of Title 8, litigants shall pay such fees as are provided by law to the county clerk for deposit in the county general fund.

The Board of Supervisors of Modoc County may provide court reporters with equipment for the performance of their duties.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 70045 or any other provision of this article, in Merced County:

proceedings of the grand jury.

The foregoing salary is for compensation for reporting services under subdivision (a). For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941).

The regular full-time official court reporters shall be entitled to the same privileges with respect to group insurance and retirement as other employees of that county. Retirement contributions

shall be based upon the annual salary provided for in subdivision (b).

The salary range of official court reporters may be adjusted by joint action and approval of the board of supervisors and a majority of the judges of the superior court. Those changes in compensation made pursuant to this provision shall be on an interim basis and shall expire January 1 following adjournment of the next regular session of the Legislature unless ratified at that session.

delay. They shall be paid in accordance with the per diem, transcription, and other fee provisions of Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941). That per diem, traveling and other expenses, and the fees chargeable to the county under the terms of these provisions shall be a proper county charge.

In a county with a population of 74,492 and not over 76,000 as determined by the 1970 federal census, each regular official reporter shall be paid an annual salary of twenty-one thousand seven hundred dollars ($21,700) and each pro tempore official court reporter shall be paid seventy dollars ($70) a day for the days he is actually on duty under order of the court.

Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, one year after the operative date of this section and thereafter, the salary range of official court reporters may be adjusted by joint action and approval of the board of supervisors and a majority of the judges of

the superior court. Such changes in compensation made pursuant to these provisions shall be on an interim basis and shall expire on January 1 of the second year after the calendar year in which the change occurs, unless ratified by the Legislature.

The presiding judge of the superior court may, upon request of the presiding judge of the municipal court, assign an official superior court reporter to the municipal court during such times as the business of the municipal court requires. Official superior court reporters who are so assigned shall receive no additional compensation for such service.

Regular official reporters shall be entitled to the same privileges with respect to retirement, vacation, sick leave and other benefits allowed to employees of the county.

Each official reporter shall perform the duties required of him by law. In addition, reporters shall render stenographic

or clerical assistance, or both, to the judges of the superior court, as any such judge may direct.

shall be effective only until January 1 of the second year following the year in which the adjustment is made, unless ratified by the Legislature.

In Napa County, each regular official reporter shall be paid an annual salary of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), and each pro tempore official reporter shall be paid one hundred ten dollars ($110) a day for the days he actually is on duty under order of the court. However, the board of supervisors, by ordinance, may establish a higher annual salary for each regular official reporter or a higher per diem for each pro tempore official reporter, or both.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law including, but not limited to, Sections 70040, 70041, 70042, and 70045, the following provisions shall be applicable to the full-time official court reporters, if any, in Nevada County:

Each such reporter shall receive a monthly salary under the schedule corresponding to the length of time that as an official court reporter he has been included within either directly or indirectly by contract the Public Employees’ Retirement System of the State of California. Except as provided herein, the initial hiring rate for each position shall be step A; provided further, however, the judges of the superior court may appoint any such court reporter at a higher initial step if in the opinion of the judges of the superior court an individual to be appointed has such experience and qualifications as to entitle that individual to such higher initial step. A step advancement from step A to step B may be granted on the first day of the month following the completion of six full months of service in the position. A person may advance to steps C, D, and E upon completion of

successive 12-month periods of service. All merit increases as provided herein shall be made at the determination of the judges of the superior court.

The foregoing salary is for compensation for reporting services in the superior court under subdivision (a) of this section. For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of this chapter.

In the event a cost-of-living increase is given to the employees of Nevada County on or after July 1, 1979, the aforementioned salary schedule shall be deemed amended so as to give the court reporters the same cost-of-living increase as is given Nevada County employees.

The regular full-time official court reporters shall be entitled to the same privileges with respect to retirement, vacation, sick leave, and group insurance, which either now or

hereafter may be provided by ordinance to other employees of the county.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including, but not limited to, Sections 70040, 70041, 70042, and 70045, the following provisions shall be applicable to the full-time official court reporters, if any, in El Dorado County:

civil commitment proceedings and all contempt proceedings.

requests a court reporter in accordance with rules of the court.

The foregoing salary is for compensation for reporting services in the superior court under subdivision (a) of this section. For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each

reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of this chapter.

The regular full-time official court reporters shall be entitled to the same privileges with respect to retirement, vacation, sick leave, and group insurance, which either now or hereafter may be provided by ordinance to other employees of the county.

Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of this chapter. Such per diem, traveling and other expenses, and the fees chargeable to the county under the terms of these provisions shall be a proper county charge.

commitment proceedings and all contempt proceedings.

municipal courts shall perform the following duties:

In addition to the aforementioned

compensation, each official court reporter shall receive twenty-five dollars ($25) per month as reimbursement for the cost of necessary supplies.

The foregoing salary established pursuant to county ordinance is for compensation for reporting services in the superior and municipal courts under subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section. For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of this chapter.

The regular full-time official court reporters shall be entitled to the same privileges with respect to retirement, vacation, sick leave, and group insurance, which either now or hereafter may be provided by ordinance to other employees of the county.

pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b), the judge or judges of the superior and municipal courts may appoint as many additional official court reporters, who shall be known as official reporters pro tempore, as the business of the courts may require in order that the judicial business of the courts in the county may be carried on without delay. They shall be paid in accordance with the per diem, transcription, and other fee provisions of Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of this chapter. The per diem, traveling and other expenses, and the fees chargeable to the county under the terms of these provisions shall be a proper county charge.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this section shall apply to the official court reporters in Shasta County:

traffic hearing officer.

coroner’s inquests, when requested by the coroner.

for reporting services set forth under subdivision (a). For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941).

The regular full-time official court reporters shall be entitled to the same privileges with respect to retirement, vacation (upon approval of judge to whom assigned), sick leave, and group insurance, which either now or hereafter may be provided by ordinance or resolution to other comparable employees of the County of Shasta.

judicial business of the court may be carried on without delay. In the event the board of supervisors has entered into a contract for supplemental reporter services with a qualified person or persons first approved by the presiding judge of the superior court, the person or persons shall be appointed as reporter pro tempore. However, if the person or persons are not reasonably available, the judge may appoint any qualified person. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, when an assignment of a pro tempore reporter is made to proceedings in the superior court, the assignment shall be deemed to run to the completion of the proceeding.

Reporters pro tempore shall be paid in accordance with the contract with the board of supervisors or, in absence thereof, with the per diem, transcription, and other fee provisions of Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941). Such per diem, traveling and other expenses, and the fees chargeable to the county under the terms of

these provisions shall be a proper county charge.

base wage.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this section shall apply to the official court reporters in Tehama County.

coroner.

provides for compensation in excess of that amount, in which event the compensation set by ordinance shall apply. The salary is for compensation for reporting services set forth under subdivision (a). For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941).

The regular, full-time official court reporters shall be entitled the same privileges with respect to retirement, vacation (upon approval of judge to whom assigned), sick leave, and group insurance, which either is now, or hereafter may be, provided by ordinance to other comparable employees of the County of Tehama.

For retirement credit purposes, compensation earnable shall be deemed to be the annual total of all salary and transcription fees paid by the County of Tehama to each regular official reporter up to a maximum of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000).

Reporters pro tempore shall be paid in accordance with the rate of compensation as set by the board of supervisors. For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941). The per diem, traveling and other expenses, and the fees

chargeable to the county under the terms of these provisions shall be a proper county charge.

If the official court reporter or a pro tempore reporter serves past 5:30 p.m., he or she shall receive an additional fee equal to one-half the per diem rate established by the board of supervisors. If the official court reporter or a pro tempore reporter serves past 8:30 p.m., he or she shall receive a second additional fee equal to one-half the per diem rate. Accumulation of hours in a given day shall be

without regard as to the number of courts in which the reporter provides reporting service.

In order that the salary provided for regular full-time official court reporters shall remain equitable and competitive, the salary herein provided for shall be adjusted and increased by the same salary adjustment percentage for the classification entitled the superior court clerk enacted on or before July 1, 1985, by the County of Tehama.

In lieu of the compensation provided for in Section 69948, the Board of Supervisors of Sutter County may, with the approval of the presiding judge of the superior court, contract with official court reporters, and reporters pro tempore, for the superior court with respect to the fee for reporting testimony and proceedings in contested cases, per diem, and traveling and other expenses, which shall be a proper county charge.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following provisions shall be applicable to the official court reporters in the superior court and municipal courts of Madera County:

courts may require in order that the judicial business of the courts in the county may be carried on without delay. They shall be paid in accordance with the per diem, transcription, and other fee provisions of Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of this chapter. The per diem, traveling, and other expenses, and the fees chargeable to the county under the terms of these provisions are a proper county charge.

In San Bernardino County, the board of supervisors shall fix the salary of regular official reporters, which shall not be less than an annual salary of twenty thousand two hundred ten dollars ($20,210) and the compensation of official reporters pro tempore, which shall be at a rate not less than seventy-five dollars and twenty-five cents ($75.25) a day.

During the hours which the court is open for the transaction of judicial business, official reporters shall devote full time to the performance of the duties required of them by law and shall not engage in or solicit to engage in any other employment in their professional

capacity.

In Santa Clara County, the board of supervisors shall fix the salary of regular official reporters, which shall not be less than a biweekly salary of one thousand seven hundred eighty-four dollars and forty cents ($1,784.40), and the compensation of official reporters pro tempore, which shall be at a rate not less than ninety-eight dollars and fourteen cents ($98.14) per half day and one hundred ninety-six dollars and twenty-eight cents ($196.28) per day.

During the hours that the court is open for the transaction of judicial business, official reporters shall devote full time to the performance of the duties

required of them by law and shall not engage in or solicit to engage in any other employment in their professional capacity.

judge.

The official phonographic reporters of such county shall receive a salary recommended by the superior court and approved by the board of supervisors. Such salary is for compensation for reporting services in the superior court under subdivision (a) of this section. For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of this chapter. Such fees shall be paid to the County of Lake when the conditions of the official phonographic reporter’s employment so provide.

Any appointee to an official reporter position shall be compensated at the first step and advance to each higher step upon completion of each year of service. Upon the recommendation of the

superior court and approval of the board of supervisors, official reporters may be employed at or may be granted a special step increase to any step within the salary range on the basis of experience or qualifications.

county.

step, but in no case may the initial salary be above the third step of the salary range. Official reporters shall advance to the next higher step on the salary plan annually, upon affirmative approval of the appointing authority. The compensation of each official reporter pro tempore shall be an amount which is equivalent to 1.05 times the daily wage of the fourth step in the salary range for full-time official reporters in Contra Costa County for each day the reporter is on duty under order of the court. Additional official reporters pro tempore may also be appointed on a half-day basis as the business of the court requires. Those reporters shall be compensated at a rate which is 55 percent of the daily wage of an official reporter pro tempore for each period up to four hours that the reporter is on duty under the order of the court.

reporter shall perform the duties required by law. When not engaged in the performance of any other duty imposed upon him or her by law, he or she shall render stenographic or clerical assistance to the judge of the court to which he or she is assigned as that judge may direct.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following provisions shall be applicable to the Stanislaus County Superior Court:

regular official superior court reporters, unless the right to their services are waived, shall report all of the proceedings as otherwise provided by law or ordered by a superior court judge.

In order that the salaries provided for in this section remain equitable and competitive, in the event an ordinance or resolution is adopted which provides a cost-of-living increase for employees of Stanislaus County, this salary range shall be deemed adjusted, increased, and amended by that ordinance or resolution.

reporting outside of the county seat.

assigned shall receive no additional compensation for that service.

by the county in the salary ordinance for other unrepresented employees.

Except as provided herein, the initial hiring rate for each position shall be step A, provided further, however, the judges of the superior court may appoint any such court reporter at a higher initial step if in the opinion of the judges of the superior court an individual to be appointed has such experience and

qualification as to entitle that individual to such higher initial step. A step advancement from step A to step B may be granted on the first day of the month following the completion of 12 full months of service in the position. A person may advance to steps C, D, and E upon completion of successive 12-month periods of service. All merit increases as provided herein shall be made at the determination of the judges of the superior court. A court reporter employed prior to November 15, 1977, and currently employed shall receive a monthly and annual salary at step E.

attendance upon the courts for the purpose of reporting proceedings.

In a county with a population of over 11,650 and under 12,000, as determined by the 1960 federal census, each regular official reporter shall receive as full compensation for taking notes in criminal cases an annual salary set by resolution of the board of supervisors. All other fees of such reporters shall be as elsewhere provided by law.

In a county with a population of over 32,000 and under 33,000, as determined by the 1960 federal census, each regular official reporter shall receive as full compensation an annual salary of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) unless the board of supervisors of the county shall by ordinance provide for compensation in excess of that amount, in which event the amount set by ordinance shall apply.

In San Benito County, the board of supervisors shall fix the salary of regular official reporters and the compensation of official reporters pro tempore, which shall be at a rate of not more than seventy-five dollars ($75) a day.

During the hours which the court is open for the transaction of judicial business, official reporters shall devote full time to the performance of the duties required of them by law and shall not engage in or solicit to engage in any other employment in their professional capacity.

In each county with a population of 730,000 and under 850,000, as determined by the 1960 federal census, the monthly salary of the regular official phonographic reporters shall be not less than that paid to regular official phonographic reporters of the superior court in counties having a population of over 6,000,000. Pro tempore reporters in each county with a population of 730,000 and under 850,000, as determined by the 1960 federal census, shall receive a daily per diem in an amount not less than that paid to pro tempore superior court reporters in counties

having a population of over 6,000,000.

Length of employment for compensation purposes under this section shall mean length of employment in either the municipal court or superior court of such county.

All regular official phonographic reporters appointed prior to the effective date of this section shall receive not less than the monthly salary set forth in the maximum step of the pertinent salary schedule used in counties having a population of over 6,000,000.

Official phonographic reporters appointed subsequent to the effective date of this section shall be compensated in an amount that is not less than whatever step of the pertinent salary schedule used in counties with a population of over 6,000,000 the majority of the judges of such court may deem appropriate.

For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of Chapter 5 of this title. The court reporter shall also be allowed his or her actual traveling expenses when reporting outside of the county seat.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 69948 and 69949, in counties with population of at least 62,000 and under 65,800, as determined by the 1960 federal census, the fee for official court reporters and court reporters pro tempore is seventy dollars ($70) per day unless the board of supervisors of the county shall, by resolution, provide for fees in excess of that amount, in which event the fee set by resolution shall apply.

No further fee than that prescribed in Sections 70053 to 70059.5, inclusive, shall be collected from, or assessed against, any party to any proceeding for the services of a phonographic reporter in taking down in shorthand the testimony and other proceedings in the trial or hearing of any matter as required by law or by order of the court, but a phonographic reporter shall be allowed and unless waived by him shall receive the fees allowed by law for transcribing his shorthand notes of the testimony and proceedings reported by him, and such fees for transcriptions shall be paid pursuant to Article 9 of this chapter and any other law pertinent to the case.

The salaries provided for in this article shall be paid in monthly installments out of the salary fund of the county and shall be allowed and audited in the same manner as the law requires for other salary demands against the county.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the following provisions shall be applicable to the official superior court reporters in Monterey County:

in any other court of the county to which he or she may be assigned. During hours in which the court is open for the transaction of judicial business, official reporters shall devote full time to the performance of regular duties and shall not engage in or solicit any other employment in their professional capacity.

participate in any group accident, group health, or group life insurance plan adopted for and made available to the classification of superior court clerk.

For the purposes of retirement under the Public Employees’ Retirement System, the salary provided for in subdivision (b) shall be deemed the entire salary for each court reporter.

In Santa Barbara County each regular official reporter shall be paid a biweekly salary which shall be one thousand six hundred eighty-five dollars and eighty-five cents ($1,685.85) which salary shall include payment for services in reporting all proceedings in the superior or municipal court, before the grand jury, and before coroners’ inquests.

Reporters pro tempore shall be paid at a per diem rate of up to a maximum of one hundred sixty-eight dollars ($168) or eighty-four dollars ($84) for each half day or four (4)

hour period or portion thereof for the days they are actually on duty under order of the court, and shall receive from the county their necessary traveling and other expenses when necessarily called from other counties. Rates of compensation of regular official reporters and official reporters pro tempore may be adjusted by joint action and approval of the board of supervisors and a majority of the judges of the court. However, any changes in compensation which are made pursuant to this section shall be on an interim basis and shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1993, unless ratified by statute by the Legislature prior to that date.

inquests, and proceedings before the county board of equalization. When not engaged in the performance of other duties imposed upon him or her by law, each reporter shall render such assistance as may be required in any other court of the county to which he or she may be assigned, and perform such other verbatim reporting services as may be required such as, but not limited to, public hearings and depositions. During hours in which the court is open for the transaction of judicial business, official reporters shall devote full time to the performance of regular duties and shall not engage in any other employment in their professional capacity.

transcripts incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941) of this chapter. The initial hiring rate for each position shall be step 1, provided that the judges may appoint any such reporter at a higher initial step if, in the opinion of the majority of judges, an individual to be appointed has such experience and qualifications as to entitle him or her to such higher initial step.

pay increases, retirement, vacation, sick leave and group insurance, but such increases shall be on an interim basis and remain in effect only until January 1, 1990, unless ratified by statute by the Legislature prior to that date.

In San Luis Obispo County, each regular official reporter shall be paid a monthly salary which shall be recommended by the superior court and approved by the board of supervisors. This salary shall include payment for services in reporting all proceedings in the superior court, before the grand jury, and before coroner’s inquests. The initial hiring rate for each position shall be step 1, provided, however, that the judges of the court may appoint a reporter at a higher step if such person has the experience and qualifications to entitle that individual to

appointment at a higher initial step. Step advancement from step 1 to step 2 may be granted following completion of six full months of service in the position. Thereafter, a person may advance to each succeeding step upon completion of a 12-month period of full-time service at the previous step. All step advancements pursuant to this section shall be determined by the judges of the court. In addition to the duties required by the provisions of this section, and notwithstanding the provisions of Section 69956, regular official reporters, when not actually engaged in the performance of other lawfully imposed duties, shall, at no additional compensation, render stenographic or clerical assistance or both, to the superior court as may be directed by the presiding judge.

Reporters pro tem shall be paid at a per diem rate of seventy-six dollars ($76) for the days they are actually on duty under order of the court, and shall receive from the county their necessary travel

and other expenses when necessarily called from other counties. Rates of compensation of official reporters pro tem may be adjusted by approval of the board of supervisors upon the recommendation of a majority of the judges of the court.

Each official court reporter shall be an attaché of the superior court and shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing judges, but shall be entitled to the same benefits and privileges respecting retirement, group insurance, social security, vacation, sick leave and other fringe benefits which are provided to county employees.

The fee so required shall be taxed as costs in favor of any party paying it and to whom costs are awarded by the judgment of the court. Such fee shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 6103.

In a county with a population of 280,000 and under 285,000, of 500,000 and under 700,000, or of 700,000 or more, the fee so required shall not be required of any party who is exempted from the payment of costs by any statute other than Section 6103.

On or before the first day of each calendar month, the county clerk shall transmit to the county treasurer all money paid to him pursuant to this article during the preceding calendar month, or up to the day immediately preceding that on which he transmits the money, and the money shall be deposited in the salary fund of the county.

In Mendocino County, the official phonographic reporters shall perform the following duties:

In Mono County, each regular official reporter shall receive as full compensation for taking notes in criminal cases an annual salary set by resolution of the board of supervisors. All other fees of such reporters shall be as elsewhere provided by law.