HB 192 - Public Defense System Restructuring

• Redesignates the State Public Defense Commission as the State Board of Public Defense, expanding membership from 9 to 18 members including representatives from legislature, judiciary, counties, defending attorneys, and judicial district oversight boards.

• Creates district offices of public defense in each judicial district, each directed by a district public defender appointed by the state board, replacing the previous county-based system.

• Establishes judicial district oversight boards with one member from each county in the district to coordinate facilities, oversee indigent defense provision, and appoint representatives to the state board.

• Restructures the state appellate public defender position into the office of the state chief public defender, with expanded supervisory and rule-proposal duties over district offices.

• Adjusts sales tax distribution to counties effective October 1, 2022, redirecting funds to support the new state-level public defense infrastructure and district offices.