Committee approves $122,120 payment to exonerated man under compensation statute

Amanda Bickel, representing the Judicial Branch, asked the Joint Budget Committee for $122,120 in general fund to satisfy a court-ordered exoneration compensation payment and associated attorney fees for James Garner, who was exonerated after more than 13 years in prison.

"The statute is very clear about this. It was a court order. The state has to pay the initial amount within 2 weeks," Bickel said, noting the payment schedule in statute. Committee members moved and approved the staff recommendation. The motion passed 5–0 with one member excused.

Members noted that the statute requires the payment timeline and that these requests are uncommon but recurring: Bickel told the committee that there have been four similar compensations since the statute was enacted in 2013 and that another larger payment may be needed in FY27.