Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 70045 or any other provision of this article, in Merced County:
(a) The regular full-time official court reporters shall perform the following duties:
(1) Report all criminal proceedings in the superior court.
(2) Report all civil commitment proceedings and all contempt proceedings in the superior court.
(3) Report all juvenile proceedings in the superior court other than those heard by a juvenile court referee or traffic hearing officer.
(4) Report all family law proceedings in the superior court.
(5) Report all civil jury trials in the superior court.
(6) Report all hearings on petitions for extraordinary relief, including but not limited to proceedings for injunctions, mandate, prohibition, certiorari, review, habeas corpus, and coram nobis in the superior court.
(7) Report any other court proceedings in the superior court when a party requests a court reporter in accordance with the rules of court.
(8) Report all criminal proceedings of the grand jury.
(9) Report proceedings for the board of equalization, when requested by the board.
(b) Each regular full-time court reporter shall be paid an annual salary of sixteen thousand seven hundred thirty-five dollars and ninety-four cents ($16,735.94), unless the board of supervisors of the county provides for compensation in excess of that amount.
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.
(c) When the regular full-time official court reporters are occupied in the performance of their duties and services pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (a), the judge or judges of the superior court may appoint as many additional official court reporters, who shall be known as official reporters pro tempore, as the business of the courts and county may require, in order that the business of the courts and 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). 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.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 696, Sec. 40. Effective September 15, 1992.)