AR SB31

Appropriates $2,863,430 for Arkansas Public Defender Commission - State Operations for fiscal year 2018-2019, including $1,271,474 for regular salaries of 19 employees and $925,000 for professional fees.

Appropriates $22,976,489 for Trial Public Defender Office for fiscal year 2018-2019, including $15,620,905 for regular salaries of 252 employees, plus $770,000 for Public Defender Commission programs and $300,000 for bail bond county public defender expenses.

Appropriates $89,900 for Ombudsman Program for fiscal year 2018-2019, including $69,059 for regular salary of one Public Defender Ombudsman Coordinator.

Authorizes three temporary or part-time "Extra Help" employees for both State Operations and Trial Public Defender Office at rates not to exceed Uniform Classification and Compensation Act standards.

Establishes special provisions for fee collection and distribution: court fees directed to State Central Services Fund; bail bond fees ($3.00 per bond) distributed to counties with 75% divided equally among 75 counties and 25% distributed per capita; prohibits funds for retained counsel lacking Public Defender Commission certification.