MS HB1491

Appropriates $2,038,301.00 from special funds in the State Treasury to the Office of Capital Defense Counsel for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Authorizes 11 permanent full-time positions for the Office of Capital Defense Counsel.

Consolidates operations and funding of the Office of Capital Defense Counsel and Office of Indigent Appeals effective July 1, 2011, pursuant to Senate Bill 2563.

Grants the Director authority to accept and budget up to $200,000.00 in additional source funds, escalated according to Department of Finance and Administration rules.

Requires the agency to maintain accounting and personnel records in the same format and detail as fiscal year 2011, and mandates public availability of cell phone usage records for assigned wireless devices.