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JBC introduces electronic discovery task force bill draft to study e‑discovery costs in criminal cases
Summary
The committee agreed to introduce a bill to require a task force of public defender and alternate defense counsel organizations to review electronic discovery (e‑discovery) practices, with staff authorized to make technical corrections; sponsors were named from both chambers.
A Joint Budget Committee bill draft to form a task force on electronic discovery in criminal cases was introduced and approved for drafting. JBC staffer Alfredo Kim presented the request as a staff‑initiated bill draft aimed at examining the environment of electronic discovery and producing recommendations to control associated costs.
Kim said the task force itself would not require a state appropriation, describing the request as an organizational and study vehicle and saying, "this costs $0. This is requiring them to just run this task force, within their organizations and get it done." Committee members asked whether the task force membership would include technical experts to ensure balanced representation; staff answered that organizations asked to participate would bring their technical staff to provide expertise.
The committee voted to introduce the bill draft and authorized staff to make technical corrections. Sponsors named in committee discussion included Senator Kirkmeyer and Senator Mobley as Senate sponsors, with Representative Taggart, Representative Burt and Representative Suroto noted as House sponsors or cosponsors.
Why it matters: Criminal case e‑discovery can impose substantial costs on defense providers and courts; the task force would examine processes and recommend cost‑control options for future legislation or administrative changes.
Actions: - Motion: introduce a bill draft titled "electronic discovery in criminal cases task force" and authorize staff to make technical corrections; outcome: introduced, no recorded opposing votes.
Ending: The committee approved drafting and sponsor assignments; the bill draft will return for future committee consideration if sponsors move it forward.
