Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
PDSC trustees prepare for transfer of services and trusteeship as bill awaits markup
Summary
Trustees of the Public Defender Service Corporation were told markup on a bill to transition oversight and funding to PDSC was delayed until June; staff were asked to draft transitional procedures and a June resolution and to prepare for an expected July agenda placement and an October implementation timeline.
The Public Defender Service Corporation board of trustees on May 27 discussed next steps after a legislative bill to shift oversight and funding to the agency missed a planned May markup.
Chair (unnamed) said the bill "was introduced. We had a good public hearing," but markup was postponed because one sponsor, Senator Blas, was off‑island and the Legislature plans to resume markup in June with the expectation the measure will reach the July agenda. The chair urged the board and staff to prepare so any new trustees could adopt transitional procedures quickly if the bill becomes law.
PDSC Executive Director said staff have submitted proposed revisions and redline versions to the Legislature and that the bill "still needs a markup period," while recommending the board begin drafting procedures for appointing a private attorney panel and for transitional operations. He said staff will prepare a resolution outlining those procedures for the June board meeting so the incoming trustees will have a recommended transitional framework.
The board discussed practical implications for funding during the transition: the chair explained that the Judiciary will remain responsible for paying private‑panel invoices through Sept. 30. "Attorneys generally don't bill to 60 to 90 days after performance of those services," the chair said, so PDSC likely will not start receiving invoices until November or December. After Oct. 1, invoices related to attorney payments "are going to have to be funded by an appropriation from the legislature and not from the client services fund," the chair added.
Trustees also discussed appointments. The chair said the Guam Bar Association president, the governor and the speaker will be asked to identify potential trustee candidates so appointments can be made quickly once the law takes effect. Staff proposed drafting recommended transitional rules as a courtesy so the new board could adopt them or revise as it sees fit.
Board members did not take a formal vote on the bill at the meeting. The chair said the board plans to review and comment on a draft resolution in advance of the June meeting and to return to the topic when the Legislature reports back after markup.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 24; staff were directed to prepare the transitional procedures and to provide trustees with the proposed markups submitted to the Legislature.
