Committee approves change to Justice Administration Commission membership

The Judiciary Committee adopted an amendment to SB 758 that alters the Justice Administration Commission's membership and reported the bill favorably.

Senator Bradley said the amendment restores public defenders to two seats and changes overall composition to include three state attorneys, two public defenders, a board-certified criminal defense attorney and a chief judge. Stacy Scott, representing public defenders, testified in support of the amendment.

The amendment was adopted without debate and the committee reported the committee substitute favorably by roll call (9–0). Senator Bradley said the update modernizes board composition that had been static since 1985.

The bill advances with the adopted amendment; no fiscal notes or implementation details were discussed in the committee record.