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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision and administration of indigent defense |
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services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 79.037, Government Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (e) to read |
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as follows: |
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(b) The commission shall distribute funds as described |
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[required] by Subsection (a)(2) or (e) based on the applicable [a] |
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county's compliance with standards adopted by the board and the |
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county's demonstrated commitment to compliance with the |
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requirements of state law relating to indigent defense. |
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(c) The board shall adopt policies to ensure that funds |
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under Subsection (a)(2) or (e) are allocated and distributed [to
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counties] in a fair manner. |
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(e) The commission may award a grant to an entity described |
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by Section 791.013 that provides to a county administrative |
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services pursuant to an interlocal contract entered into for the |
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purpose of providing or improving the provision of indigent defense |
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services in the county. The commission shall monitor each entity |
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that receives a grant under this subsection and enforce compliance |
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with the conditions of the grant in the same manner as if the grant |
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were awarded directly to a county under Subsection (a)(2). |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 79, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 79.040 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 79.040. INDIGENT DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEM. (a) By |
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entering into an interlocal contract with one or more counties |
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under Chapter 791, the commission may participate and assist |
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counties in the creation, implementation, operation, and |
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maintenance of a statewide computerized system to be used to assist |
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those counties in the provision and administration of indigent |
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defense services and to be used to collect data from those counties |
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regarding representation of indigent defendants in this state. |
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(b) The commission may use appropriated funds to pay costs |
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incurred pursuant to an interlocal contract described by Subsection |
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(a), including license fees, implementation costs, maintenance and |
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operations costs, administrative costs, and any other costs |
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specified in the interlocal contract. |
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(c) The commission may provide training services to |
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counties on the use and operation of a system created, implemented, |
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operated, or maintained by one or more counties under Subsection |
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(a). |
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(d) Subchapter L, Chapter 2054, does not apply to the |
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statewide indigent defense information system created under this |
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section. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |