MS HB1638

Appropriates $3,227,663.00 from the State General Fund for the Office of State Public Defender for fiscal year 2017 (July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017).

Authorizes 25 permanent full-time positions for the agency with no part-time or time-limited positions.

Requires $1,000,000.00 of the appropriation to be derived from a transfer from the Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts per Senate Bill 2362.

Sets performance targets for Capital Defense Counsel including 75% of trial cases opened within one year and an average of 7.50 reversals due to ineffective assistance of counsel.

Effective July 1, 2016, with agency required to maintain detailed accounting and personnel records and submit comparable budget requests to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.