Bill > SB783

This bill is a supplemental appropriation bill for the West Virginia Department of Administration's Public Defender Services for fiscal year 2025. The bill increases funding in two specific line items within the Public Defender Services budget: first, adding $2,600,000 to Public Defender Corporations, and second, adding $20,000,000 to Appointed Counsel Fees. These appropriations are being made from the General Revenue Fund, drawing from an unappropriated balance in the state treasury that was identified in the Governor's budget document submitted on February 12, 2025. The bill aims to provide additional financial resources to support public defense services, specifically to help fund local public defender corporations and to cover fees for court-appointed attorneys who represent defendants who cannot afford legal representation. This supplemental funding will help ensure that the public defender system has adequate resources to provide legal services during the current fiscal year.

Budget and Finance

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=783&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill