OR HB3376

Establishes the office of district defender in each Oregon judicial district, with the executive director of the Oregon Public Defense Commission appointing district defenders who receive compensation equal to circuit court judges

District defenders oversee case assignments, supervise panel attorneys, ensure compliance with training requirements and caseload policies, provide training on local court rules, and serve as public defense representatives on criminal justice advisory committees

Seven judicial districts (Jackson, Marion, Multnomah, Deschutes, Coos/Curry, Douglas, and Washington counties) must establish offices by March 1, 2026; all remaining districts must establish offices by March 1, 2030

Counties must provide office space comparable to the district attorney's office; the Oregon Public Defense Commission covers personnel and operational costs beyond basic office and support staff

Modifies contracting authority so the commission may contract with individual attorneys and both nonprofit and for-profit entities for public defense services, rather than only nonprofit public defense organizations