BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SB 378
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   July 3, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                     SB 378 (Block) - As Amended:  April 2, 2013 

          Policy Committee:                             Public  
          SafetyVote:7-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:               

           SUMMARY  

          This bill makes a digitized copy of an official record of  
          conviction admissible as the official record.  

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Minor ongoing savings to state trial courts. 

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale  . Sponsored by the Judicial Council, this bill  
            recognizes the increasing reliance on digitized documents and  
            the time and money spent on preparation, delivery and storage  
            of paper.

            According to the author, "SB 378 will authorize the use of  
            electronically digitized copies of prior convictions as  
            admissible evidence to the same extent as the original record  
            or a certified copy. This bill will result in cost savings and  
            will decrease the processing time due to the increased  
            efficiency and speed with which items can be digitally scanned  
            and emailed."

           2)Support  .  According to the Judicial Council, "With increased  
            use of and reliance on electronic data management and document  
            storage, courts can save significant money by preparing and  
            certifying an electronic 'prior packet' file one time rather  
            than incurring the costs associated with producing and  
            certifying multiple hard copies.  Thus, the council believes  
            that SB 378 will make courts more efficient and result in cost  
            savings."








                                                                  SB 378
                                                                  Page  2


           3)There is no known opposition  . 
           

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081