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House advances $200,000 aid measure for counties facing unusually high indigent-defense costs
Summary
House passed HB80 to appropriate $200,000 to the attorney general's office for indigent defense costs in counties facing extraordinary trials, citing the Northstar capital case in Garfield County and the risk of bankrupting small counties; the measure passed overwhelmingly and goes to the Senate.
The Utah House approved legislation to provide emergency support for counties facing extreme indigent defense costs, responding to a high-cost capital case in Garfield County.
A sponsor described House Bill 80 as a $200,000 appropriation from the state to the attorney general's office to provide indigent defense in counties with unusual circumstances. The sponsor said Garfield County currently faces multiple capital-defendant cases and "the county is having to pick up the defense cost for 6 defendants in a capital case," a burden that could overwhelm a small county's revenue base.
Members from rural districts supported the bill on grounds that small counties have narrow revenue bases that make it difficult to absorb very high trial costs. Representative Clint Hickman said the appropriation would act as a safety net to avoid bankrupting counties; Representative Trent Bowman and others expressed support based on local facilities and experience. One member noted Garfield County's total annual tax collections are smaller than the projected defense cost, arguing state help was necessary.
The bill was placed on the calendar and later voted on the floor. The clerk recorded the final tally as 67 yes and 2 no; House Bill 80 passed the House and was transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Next steps: HB80 proceeds to the Senate for consideration.
