Subcommittee advances $707.7 million budget for Public Defense Services Commission

On June 9, 2025, the Public Safety Subcommittee advanced House Bill 5,031, recommending a $707.7 million total‑funds, 180‑position budget for the Public Defense Services Commission and forward the measure to the full Ways and Means Committee.

The subcommittee and the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) framed the package as a sizable investment to restore capacity, improve accountability and stabilize public defense delivery statewide. The recommendation includes one‑time pilot funding, continued law‑school investments, mandated caseload adjustments, carryforward payments for an expiring hourly program and unscheduled funds that may not be released until the commission delivers capacity reports to the legislature.

John Borden, Legislative Fiscal Office analyst, told the subcommittee that the LFO recommendation for the 2025–27 biennium is $707,700,000 in total funds, comprised of $681,000,000 General Fund and $26,700,000 other funds, and 180 positions (179.8 FTE). "The Legislative Fiscal Office recommendation for House Bill 5,031 ... is to fund the department at $707,700,000 total funds, 180 positions, 179.8 FTE," Borden said. He described multiple line‑item adjustments, including mandated caseload increases, error fixes, and fund shifts to maximize federal reimbursement.

Key budget elements described by LFO and discussed by members: - Enhanced provider capacity pilot: $2.2 million one‑time to compensate existing contract providers operating at or…