JFAC approves multiple supplementals and a large enhancement package for State Public Defender office

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 24 approved multiple supplemental appropriations and a wide-ranging enhancement package for the newly created Office of the State Public Defender, funding immediate transcript and contracting costs and establishing an ongoing budget posture that increases contract attorney rates and adds staff and operating support.

Key actions: the committee approved a one-time $2,500,000 dedicated-fund supplemental to align Child Protective Act (CPA) appropriation authority with statutory cash transfers from the public defense fund (motion passed, total 15 ayes, 5 nays). It also approved a one-time $390,200 general-fund supplemental to cover court-ordered transcript costs after the Idaho Supreme Court’s State v. Blasek decision (motion passed unanimously). A third supplemental—$3,799,900 general-fund one-time—was approved to cover additional personnel…