Subcommittee reports substitute waiving remote access fees for court‑appointed attorneys
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Summary
The panel reported and referred a substitute for HB 520 that waives OCCA fees for certified court‑appointed attorneys in jurisdictions where they serve, intended to reduce barriers to participation on court‑appointed lists.
Members of the subcommittee approved a substitute for HB 520, which clarifies access rules for the OCCA electronic records system and waives fees for currently certified court‑appointed attorneys in jurisdictions where they accept appointments.
Committee counsel said the substitute aligns with Senate Bill 82. Delegate Hernandez and witnesses from the Indigent Defense Commission and justice‑system advocates testified that waiving the fee would remove a barrier for court‑appointed counsel and could help jurisdictions retain and recruit attorneys; one witness noted there are fewer than 1,000 attorneys serving as court‑appointed counsel statewide.
The substitute also adds language allowing clerks to revoke remote access for misuse. The committee reported and referred the substitute to appropriations unanimously.
What happens next: The measure moves to appropriations for fiscal review; sponsors said it is aimed at maintaining access to representation for indigent defendants and lowering attrition among court‑appointed attorneys.
