MN HF3

Transfers $500,000 annually from county program aid to the Board of Public Defense instead of the commissioner of management and budget, effective on or before the first installment date each year, for payment of court-ordered counsel services under section 611.27.

Shifts authority over counsel appointment decisions from courts to the state public defender, including requests for appointment of counsel other than the district public defender and approval of permanent staff additions.

Changes county aid totals for different fiscal years: maintains $118,795,000 for aids payable 2021-2024, then reduces to $115,795,000 for aids payable 2025 and thereafter, with $3,000,000 allocated as required under prior law.

Establishes the Board of Public Defense as responsible for paying billings for correctional facility inmates and appeal case transcripts from retained county program aid, replacing prior procedures involving the state public defender and commissioner of management and budget.

Requires the Board of Public Defense to certify by October 1 any unused transferred amounts from the previous fiscal year for inclusion in the next year's county need aid certification for property tax reduction.