SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6056

BYSenators Pullen and Owen

Authorizing the court to order, at county expense, transcripts in child custody, visitation or residential schedule hearings.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 27, 1989

Senate Staff:Richard Rodger (786-7461)

AS OF FEBRUARY 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Transcription of court proceedings is required when an appeal is made of a judge's ruling.  Transcription fees are set by the Supreme Court.  The current fee charged in civil cases is $6 per page.  In cases where a party has a constitutional right to an appeal, but cannot afford the transcription fee, the court may order the fee be paid by the state.  The state is charged a $2 per page fee.

Cases involving child custody and visitation can be both lengthy and expensive.  Often times a party is unable to appeal a decision of the judge, because of the expense of obtaining a transcript of the proceeding.  The transcript fee for a ten-day trial may exceed $10,000.

SUMMARY:

The court may require the county to pay the cost of a transcript when a appeal is taken on an issue of a child's custody, a child's visitation schedule, or a child's residential schedule.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Gerald Marra, citizen (pro); Mike Redman, WAPA (con)