S. 807 would require the Supreme Court of the United States to permit television coverage of all open sessions held by the court, unless the Court decides, by a vote of the majority of justices, that allowing such coverage in a particular case would violate the due process rights of one or more of the parties. The Supreme Court does not currently record or allow others to record video of its sessions.
Based on the Court’s activity over the past five years, CBO expects that the Court would hold public sessions about 50 days each year and that most televised hours would cover oral arguments, which typically last two hours. Using information provided by the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN) about the cost of cameras and other equipment necessary for televised broadcasts, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost about $2 million over the 2022-2026 period; any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. CBO estimates that the Court would incur costs of about $500,000 in 2022 to install a camera and recording system capable of televised coverage. In addition, CBO expects the Court would need three technical staff on days the Court is in open session and one full-time digital archivist, at an estimated annual cost of about $200,000.
