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Public Defense Commission outlines proposed KPMs, seeks stakeholder input before 2027 session
Summary
The Oregon Public Defense Commission presented proposed revisions to its key performance measures including targets for provider payment timing, trial-division retention, preauthorized expense processing and contractor compliance; the subcommittee asked PDC to refine metrics and moved the report to the full committee with LFO guidance.
Ken Sanchgren, interim executive director of the Oregon Public Defense Commission, briefed the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee on Feb. 5 about proposed restructuring of the agency's key performance measures (KPMs). The report responds to direction in House Bill 5031 and aims to present a revised set of KPMs for the 2027-29 biennium.
Sanchgren said the agency plans to keep several existing KPMs, remove one measure tied to continuing-education timing (because it misaligns with State Bar requirements), and add new measures focused on retention within the trial division, timely payment to providers (a proposed target that allows for agency and DAS processing, cited as 43 days to include DAS lead time), timely processing of preauthorized expense requests, development of internal policies, and a contractor-compliance measure to track whether contractors meet contractual obligations.
Committee members asked why the payment target was set at 43 days; Sanchgren explained the timeframe accounts for OPDC processing and additional DAS steps so that payments arrive within about 45 days. Members supported the focus on retention and quality measures and urged PDC to seek broader stakeholder input and research best practices. DAS and the Legislative Fiscal Office recommended acknowledging receipt of the report but asked PDC to re-examine metrics before formal proposals in the 2027 session. The subcommittee voted to send the item to the full committee with the LFO recommendation.
