New Rules for Appointing Public Defense Counsel in Conflict Cases

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently passed_both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Signed.

Last action

Ordered enrolledMar 9, 2026

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

This legislation changes the process for how indigent defendants receive legal counsel in conflict-of-interest cases, directly impacting the administrative workload of courts and the payment procedures for private attorneys handling these cases.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Indigent defendants

The bill changes the process for how their legal representation is assigned when a conflict of interest occurs.

Private attorneys

They are subject to new documentation requirements when seeking payment from the JAC for court-appointed work.

JAC

The agency is required to manage payments and reimbursements for due process costs and services under the new guidelines.

What changed

Current stage: passed_both.

What's next

Signed.

Summary

This bill updates how courts assign legal representation when a standard public defender has a , requiring new notification procedures and specific payment rules for regional counsel. It establishes clear protocols for when a court must appoint private attorneys and how those attorneys get paid for their services.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my local public defender has a conflict of interest?

Under this bill, the court may appoint a regional counsel office from another area or, in certain circumstances, appoint a private attorney to represent the defendant.

How do private attorneys get paid for these court-appointed cases?

Attorneys must provide specific documentation to the Justice Administrative Commission () to receive payment or reimbursement for their services and .

Why It Matters

This legislation changes the process for how indigent defendants receive legal counsel in conflict-of-interest cases, directly impacting the administrative workload of courts and the payment procedures for private attorneys handling these cases.

News Coverage

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Voting Record

Motion succeededupper3/9/2026openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Third Reading

Total

39

Yes

36

No

1

Present

0

Not Voting

1

Abstain

0

How they voted (39)

+ 15 more

Motion succeededlower2/25/2026openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Passage, Third Reading

Total

117

Yes

114

No

0

Present

0

Not Voting

3

Abstain

0

How they voted (117)

+ 93 more

Full roll-call analysis →

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Centralization of Payment Oversight

The bill reinforces the role of the JAC as the central clearinghouse for due process payments, standardizing documentation requirements across regional offices.

JAC Offices of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel