Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 70045 or any other provision of this article, in Merced County:
The foregoing salary is for compensation for reporting services under subdivision (a). For all transcriptions incident to reporting services, each reporter shall receive the fees provided for in Article 9 (commencing with Section 69941).
The regular full-time official court reporters shall be entitled to the same privileges with respect to group insurance and retirement as other employees of that county. Retirement contributions shall be based upon the annual salary provided for in subdivision (b).
The salary range of official court reporters may be adjusted by joint action and approval of the board of supervisors and a majority of the judges of the superior court. Those changes in compensation made pursuant to this provision shall be on an interim basis and shall expire January 1 following adjournment of the next regular session of the Legislature unless ratified at that session.
Ca. Gov. Code § 70045.4