Bill > HB3363

This bill is a supplemental appropriation bill that increases funding for the Public Defender Services within the Department of Administration for fiscal year 2025. Specifically, the bill adds $2,600,000 to the Public Defender Corporations line item and $20,000,000 to the Appointed Counsel Fees line item, both drawn from the State Fund's General Revenue. The bill's context is provided in the preamble, which notes that the Governor's Executive Budget Document revealed an unappropriated balance in the Treasury available for allocation during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. By increasing these appropriations, the bill aims to provide additional financial resources to support public defender services, which include funding for local public defender corporations and fees for court-appointed attorneys who represent defendants who cannot afford legal representation. The bill will take effect immediately upon passage and follows the standard legislative process of being certified by the Clerks of the House and Senate, signed by legislative leadership, and approved by the Governor.

Budget and Finance

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=3363&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill