The North Dakota House Appropriations Committee has approved a significant budget increase aimed at enhancing public defense services, addressing high turnover rates, and improving compensation for attorneys. The proposed budget now stands at $23,022,372, reflecting a 33% increase in funding, which includes provisions for 43 full-time employees (FTEs) and two new private investigator positions.

A key component of the budget is the allocation of $2 million to raise the contract rates paid to attorneys, a move designed to attract more qualified legal professionals to the public defense sector. Currently, the rates for contract attorneys have been low, making it challenging to secure adequate representation for those in need. The budget also includes an additional $500,000 to implement a new compensation strategy aimed at reducing turnover and reliance on contracted services.

The House's version of the budget incorporates the Senate's recommendations and adds $310,000 to replace revenue lost due to the passage of House Bill 1417, which eliminated certain court fees previously collected by the agency. This adjustment is crucial for maintaining the agency's operational capacity.

Committee members emphasized the constitutional obligation to provide robust public defense services, highlighting that underfunding this agency undermines the rights of individuals charged with crimes. The discussions underscored the importance of ensuring equal justice, with representatives expressing satisfaction with the proposed investments.

As the budget moves forward, the committee will seek clarification on the new contract rates for attorneys, which are expected to rise to approximately $90 per hour. This increase is seen as a vital step toward ensuring that public defenders can deliver high-quality legal representation, thereby upholding the principles of justice in North Dakota.