The House Ways and Means Committee heard SB 179 on the commission on court appointed attorneys sponsored by Reps. McNamara, Steuerwald, Negele and Hatcher. Author, Sen. Koch, introduced the bill. Chair, Rep. Thompson, offered amendment #11 which was adopted by consent. The amendment removes the misdemeanor pilot program and replaces it with a statewide misdemeanor reimbursement program, setting the reimbursement rate at 25% of the costs, and subject to available funding with reimbursement of felony cases remaining the priority.
The amended bill passed 20-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/senate/179