NC H953

Establishes a 12-member Study Committee on Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Public Defender, and Private Assigned Counsel Pay Rates, with appointments from legislative leadership, the Conference of District Attorneys, Indigent Defense Services, the NC Bar Association, and the Chief Justice

Requires the Committee to study current pay rates and structures across North Carolina, broken down by urban, suburban, and rural cost-of-living categories

Directs comparison of NC pay with neighboring states and examination of federal pay models used by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Armed Services

Mandates analysis of factors influencing attorneys' decisions to serve in these roles, including local amenities, school quality, housing availability, and economic development opportunities

Requires an interim report by March 1, 2026 and a final report by March 1, 2027 to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety and related appropriations committees