Bill > HB2162

This bill establishes a public interest law grant program designed to help address funding challenges and staffing shortages for prosecutors and public defenders in Washington state. The program will provide annual student loan payoff grants of up to $10,000 for lawyers who work in public service as prosecutors or public defenders for at least one year. To fund these grants, the bill creates a tax incentive where eligible law firms can receive a business and occupation tax credit equal to their contributions to the public interest law program account, up to $20,000 annually. The Washington Student Achievement Council will administer the program, developing it by December 31, 2026, and issuing the first grants by July 1, 2027. The program is directly responding to a state Supreme Court order that mandates new caseload standards for public defenders, which requires reducing the number of cases per lawyer and improving the quality of public legal representation. By offering student loan relief, the legislature hopes to attract and retain lawyers in these critical public service roles, ultimately improving the criminal justice system's efficiency and fairness. The program is set to expire on December 31, 2038, with annual reporting requirements to the legislature about the program's performance and impact.

Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2162&Year=2025&Initiative=false