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H 372

APPROPRIATIONS – STATE APPELLATE PUBLIC DEFENDER – Relates to the appropriation to the State Appellate Public Defender for fiscal year 2026.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill H 372 boosts funding by $139,800 for the State Appellate Public Defender, adding a new position to enhance legal representation in appeals.

Reported Signed by Governor on March 24, 2025 Session Law Chapter 157 Effective: 07/01/2025
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Bill Summary · H 372

Summary of House Bill H 372

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: H 372
  • Title: Appropriations – State Appellate Public Defender
  • Status: Reported Signed by Governor on March 24, 2025; Effective Date: July 1, 2025
  • Introduced: March 6, 2025
  • Classification: Bill
  • Subject: Appropriations for the State Appellate Public Defender

Purpose and Intent

House Bill H 372 aims to enhance the funding and operational capacity of the State Appellate Public Defender's office for the fiscal year 2026. The bill provides additional financial resources to support the office's maintenance budget, which includes the establishment of a new Deputy State Public Defender position and reappropriation authority for both capital and noncapital representation costs.

Key Provisions

  1. Financial Appropriation:

    • The bill appropriates an additional $139,800 to the State Appellate Public Defender's budget for FY 2026.
    • This amount includes:
      • $129,500 for personnel costs
      • $8,200 for operating expenditures
      • $2,100 for capital outlay

  2. Full-Time Equivalent Position Increase:

    • The bill authorizes an increase of one (1.00) full-time equivalent position, bringing the total to 27.00 positions for FY 2026.

  3. Reappropriation Authority:

    • The bill grants reappropriation authority for unexpended and unencumbered balances from FY 2025, allowing up to $1,209,400 for costs related to capital cases and outside counsel for noncapital appeals. This funding is designated for nonrecurring expenditures for the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

  4. Emergency Declaration:

    • An emergency is declared, allowing the act to take effect immediately on July 1, 2025.

Impact

  • Who is Affected:

    • The State Appellate Public Defender's office will benefit from the increased funding and staffing, which is expected to enhance its capacity to provide legal representation in appellate cases.
    • Individuals involved in capital and noncapital appeals will also be impacted, as the additional resources aim to improve the quality and availability of legal defense services.

  • Budgetary Changes:

    • The total budget for the State Appellate Public Defender will rise to $4,349,300 for FY 2026, reflecting a 6.6% increase from the previous fiscal year.

Procedural Timeline

  • March 6, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
  • March 11, 2025: Passed in the House with a vote of 54-15-1.
  • March 17, 2025: Passed in the Senate with a vote of 28-7-0.
  • March 24, 2025: Signed by the Governor and reported as Session Law Chapter 157.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of House Bill H 372, detailing its purpose, key provisions, and the anticipated impact on the State Appellate Public Defender's operations and the individuals it serves.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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