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H 4370

Columbia chess club

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 122 co-sponsors

Standardizes fees and rules for trial transcripts and electronic copies, adds rush options and indigent rates, with AOT paying in criminal cases.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 4370

Summary of H 4370: An Act concerning furnishing transcripts of notes and fees

Overview

  • Bill number: H 4370
  • Title: An Act concerning furnishing transcripts of notes and fees
  • Purpose: Establish and update the fees and procedures for providing transcripts of notes and audio recordings from trials or hearings, including electronic copies, with specific provisions for rush transcripts and indigent parties.
  • Status: Reported favorably by the Judiciary Committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee
  • Introduced: August 11, 2025
  • Context: Amends Chapter 221, Section 88 of the General Laws (replacing the existing section with new fee and procedure language)

Key provisions

  • Transcripts and materials covered

    • Transcripts of notes or audio recordings taken at a trial or hearing, in whole or in part.
    • Includes rush transcripts and electronic reproductions.

  • Fee structure (per page charges)

    • Original transcript: $4.50 per page
    • Each copy: $1.50 per page
    • Rush transcript (ordered by presiding justice or any party): $6.75 per page for original; $2.25 per page for each copy
    • Electronic reproduction: up to $7.50 per electronic reproduction (open-source format required by the Office of Transcription Services)
    • Indigent parties: copies at $0.15 per page (for those who qualify)
    • Indigent copies for rush transcripts: not specified separately beyond the base indigent rate; the open-source and format requirements apply to electronic copies

  • Payment and administration

    • In criminal cases, transcripts ordered by the presiding justice or by the district attorney are paid for at the same rate by the Administrative Office of the Trial Court (AOT) on a voucher approved by the presiding justice.
    • In criminal cases, charges for transcripts furnished to a justice and to the district attorney are taxed like other expenses.
    • If the presiding justice orders transcription of statements given to the police, all parties receive a copy, and payment is made at the same rate by the AOT on a voucher approved by the presiding justice.

  • Access and delivery

    • Transcripts and electronic copies must be provided in accordance with the rates and procedures above, with the option for indigent recipients to receive copies at the specified reduced rate.

Who is affected

  • Presiding justices and parties to trials/hearings
  • Transcribers
  • Office of Transcription Services (and the Administrative Office of the Trial Court for payment administration)
  • Criminal defendants, prosecutors (district attorneys), and counsel for indigent parties
  • Indigent individuals seeking copies

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative action: Reported out of the Judiciary Committee on August 11, 2025; new draft associated with House Bill 1649; subsequently referred to House Ways and Means.
  • Effective date: Not specified in the bill text provided; would typically be enacted upon passage and signed into law or as otherwise provided in the statute when enacted.

Potential impact

  • Standardizes and updates the cost structure for transcripts, including electronic formats.
  • Clarifies who pays for transcripts in criminal cases (AOT via vouchers) and how charges are treated for court expenses.
  • Establishes reduced rates for indigent recipients to improve access to essential transcript materials.
  • Introduces a uniform, open-source requirement for electronic transcripts.

This summary reflects the provisions as filed in the August 11, 2025 version of H 4370.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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