AZ HB2171

Amends Section 11-588 of the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to the state aid to indigent defense fund.

Clarifies that the sole purpose of the state aid to indigent defense fund is to provide state aid to county public defenders, legal defenders, and contract indigent defense counsel for processing criminal cases.

Changes the distribution language from "allocate" to "distribute" monies to counties pursuant to Section 41-2409, subsection C for the specified purpose.

Requires that all monies distributed from the fund be used to supplement, not supplant, county funding at the level provided in fiscal year 1997-1998 for criminal case processing.

Establishes that monies from legislative appropriations may be spent without further legislative appropriation, while monies allocated under Section 41-2421 remain subject to legislative appropriation.