Panel approves $800,000 supplemental to finalize payments to indigent defense contractors

JBC staff presented an $800,000 interim supplemental request for the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel to pay contractors who provide legal defense to indigent clients. The office faced delayed payments that were reduced through transfers of about $1,000,000 from other agencies' reversions, and the supplemental would close out remaining obligations.

Scott Thompson, JBC staff, said the payments are for work already performed and recommended approval. Staff also flagged concerns about the statutory transfer authority that allowed the transfers and said they would pursue clean-up language to clarify processes in future sessions.

The committee approved the supplemental on a unanimous recorded vote; members praised OADC leadership for cost management while noting the year-over-year growth in the program's costs remains a concern for the panel.