California Code, Government Code - GOV § 68105

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Supreme Court, any court of appeal, or any superior court may appoint as an official phonographic reporter or as an official phonographic reporter pro tempore a person who has declared the intention to become a citizen and who is a certified shorthand reporter.

“A person who has declared the intention to become a citizen,” as used in this section, means a person who has either (1) filed the declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States, or petition for naturalization, or comparable document prescribed by federal law or (2) filed an affidavit with the court, in the form prescribed by the court, that the person will, at the first opportunity at which the applicable federal law permits, file such a declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States, petition for naturalization, or comparable document. If the court determines that an individual who has filed under alternative (2) of the preceding sentence, has, without good cause, failed at the first opportunity provided under federal law to file one of the specified documents prescribed by federal law, it shall forthwith revoke the appointment.