Committee hears plan to reinstate indigent defense task force to study statewide public-defense needs

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5,912 would reinstate a statewide indigent defense task force charged with examining systems of legal representation for people who cannot afford counsel and delivering a report to the governor, Supreme Court and relevant legislative committees by Jan. 1, 2028.

Committee staff summarized the bill’s membership requirements, the Office of Public Defense’s duty to provide staff support and the report’s expected scope: data collection on current delivery models, assessment of capacity needs tied to new Supreme Court caseload standards, and recommendations for sustainable statewide solutions.

County officials, the Office of Public Defense, and defender associations testified in support. Curtis Steinauer (Washington State Association of Counties) described counties’ public-defense crisis and argued a data-driven, statewide review is necessary before making structural or funding decisions. Sophia Byrd McSherry (Office of Public Defense) said OPD is prepared to staff and coordinate the task force and emphasized that pending caseload-standard changes and potential new revenue discussions make the study’s timing appropriate. Ramona Brandes (Washington Defender Association) said the task force would help the legislature make evidence-based budget and policy decisions and requested statewide data collection to avoid speculative solutions.

There was no vote during the hearing; testimony emphasized the task force as a preparatory step for future policy and budget decisions rather than immediate statutory change to defender responsibilities.