FISCAL NOTE TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 748

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 5, 1996

      Senate Bill No. 748 (1R) of 1996 revises the present fee structure for transcripts prepared by court reporters and transcribers. Presently, the authorized fee is $1.50 per page and $0.50 per copy of each page of a transcript. The bill would permit a standard fee of $3.00 per page and $0.25 per copy. For transcripts produced within two to seven days, the bill would authorize a fee of $4.00 per page and $5.00 per page and $0.50 per copy. For transcripts prepared and delivered the same day the fee would be $6.00 per page and $0.50 per copy. The new fees would take effect immediately for all requestors except state agencies. The fee increase for State agencies would be phased in until January 1, 2001.

      The Office of the Public Defender states that currently, it pays $1,494,686 for court reporter fees. Under the bill, there would be no increased costs during 1997. During 1998 through 2000, the costs would increase by $434,540, $348,978, and $386,204, respectively, to $1,626,216, $1,975,191, and $2,361,398. After 2000, the costs would remain constant if the Public Defender maintains the same level of transcript requests.

      The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) stated in a fiscal note for the original bill that its costs would double from $233,688 to $467,376. Under the amended bill, there would be no costs during 1997, and an increase of $77,818 per year during 1998, 1999 and 2000. If the AOC maintains the same level of transcript requests, costs would remain constant after the year 2000.

      In a fiscal note for the prior Legislative Session, the Department of Law and Public Safety noted that it spent about $71,500 on transcript fees. Under the bill, there would be no costs during 1997, and an increase of $23,810 per year during 1998, 1999 and 2000. If the department maintains the same level of transcript requests, costs would remain constant after the year 2000.

      In sum, total increased cost to the State for these three agencies would be nothing during 1997; $536,168 during 1998; $450,606 during 1999; and $487,832 during 2000. After 2000, the increased costs would remain constant at $1,474,606.

      The Office of Legislative Services notes that these rates are based on regular transcription services. If expedited services were requested, the costs could be higher for the requesting agencies.

This fiscal note has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.