Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING STATE ENTITIES THAT PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT PERSONS.

Summary of Assessment

            The bill abolishes and recreates the State Public Defender Commission and the Alternate Defense Counsel Commission. The bill specifies qualifications and terms for members of both commissions and requires the State Public Defender Commission to appoint the State Public Defender, and requires the Alternate Defense Counsel Commission to appoint the Alternate Defense Counsel.

            The bill requires both commissions to annually review performance and operations of their respective agencies and submit a written and oral report to the Judiciary Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives and the Joint Budget Committee, in addition to a written report to the Governor. The bill also instructs each commission to review and approve the budget prepared by their respective agencies and make recommendations to the Joint Budget Committee.

            The bill will be effective July 1, 1998.

            The bill continues the State Public Defender Commission and the Alternate Defense Counsel Commission. The continuation of an existing program does not affect state base revenue or expenditures. Therefore, the bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.

Departments Contacted

            Alternate Defense Counsel

            Judicial

            State Public Defender