Definitions; court reporter, court recorder, stenomask reporter, or owner of firm; familial relationship with party or attorney; disclosure required; financial interest

(1) As used in this section and sections 1491, 1492, and 1493: (a) "Blanket contract" means a contract under which a court reporter, court recorder, stenomask reporter, or court reporting firm agrees to perform all court reporting or court recording services for a client for 2 or more cases at a rate of compensation fixed in the contract. (b) "Court reporting firm" means a business entity that provides the services of court reporters, court recorders, or stenomask reporters. (c) "Owner" means a person who has any ownership interest in a court reporting firm. (2) A court reporter, court recorder, stenomask reporter, or owner of a court reporting firm shall not provide or arrange to provide court reporting or recording services if he or she is a relative, employee, attorney, or counsel of any of the parties, or is a relative or employee of an attorney or counsel of any of the parties, without disclosing that familial relationship. (3) A court reporter, court recorder, stenomask reporter, or owner of a court reporting firm shall not provide or arrange to provide court reporting or recording services if he or she is financially interested in the action.