(a)
The official reporter shall perform the duties required by law. When not actually engaged in the performance of any other duty imposed by law, the official reporter shall render stenographic or clerical assistance, or both, to the judge or judges of the department to which such reporter is assigned as such judge or judges may direct.
(b)
The official reporter in each department shall be selected by and serve directly under the authority and control of the judge thereof, provided, however, that whenever the services of an official reporter are not required in the actual prosecution of the business of his department, the presiding judge of the superior court may temporarily assign any such reporter to act as an official reporter for another department of the superior court or as an official reporter of a municipal court within the same county.