VA HB223

Authorizes local governments (counties and cities) to fund additional public defender positions, expanding beyond the existing authority to only supplement compensation of existing staff

Requires that any local funding for positions must be paid entirely from local funds, not state resources

Prohibits localities from attaching any conditions or requirements to the funding due to attorney-client privilege protections and statutory scope of representation

Allows local funds to be paid either directly to the Indigent Defense Commission or to employees, with the Commission distributing supplemental funds alongside state-fixed compensation