The Court Reporters Board of California on Oct. 14 voted to pursue legislation to establish reciprocity between the skills portion of the California certified shorthand reporter (CSR) exam and the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) skills exam. The board directed staff to seek an author to carry proposed legislative language drafted for the next session.

The board’s executive officer, Yvonne Fenner, told members the text of the proposed language is included in the meeting packet and that staff had been unable to find an author to date. Member Manayan moved to approve the language (item 7.11.0.1), and the motion was seconded and carried by roll call vote.

Board members who spoke in favor described the change as consistent with prior policy decisions to recognize comparable national skills assessments. Fenner said the board previously voted to accept reciprocity for the skills portion and that formal legislation is needed to implement it. There were no substantive objections raised during the public meeting.

The board also noted the need to continue outreach to schools and stakeholders if the measure advances. No implementation timeline was adopted in the meeting; board staff will pursue an author and return with next steps as the legislative process proceeds.

Action and next steps: board staff were authorized to submit the approved text to the Department of Consumer Affairs and seek an author in the Legislature. If an author is secured, staff will work through the normal bill development process and keep the board informed.