Bill > H953

This bill establishes a 12-member Study Committee on Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Public Defender, and Private Assigned Counsel Pay Rates, which will include representatives from the North Carolina House and Senate, the Conference of District Attorneys, Indigent Defense Services, and the State Bar. The Committee's primary purpose is to conduct a comprehensive study of pay rates and working conditions for legal professionals in these roles, examining current compensation structures, regional cost of living differences, and factors that influence attorneys' decisions to work in these positions. The study will compare North Carolina's pay models with those of neighboring states and explore pay structures used by U.S. Attorneys and Armed Services. The Committee will be required to produce an interim report by March 1, 2026, and a final report by March 1, 2027, which will be submitted to various legislative oversight committees. Committee members will receive standard per diem and travel expenses, and the Legislative Services Officer will provide necessary staff and resources to support the Committee's work. The bill becomes effective immediately upon becoming law, with the goal of understanding and potentially improving compensation and working conditions for assistant district attorneys, assistant public defenders, and private assigned counsel across North Carolina.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H953