This bill appropriates funds for the Arkansas Public Defender Commission for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. It establishes the maximum number of regular employees and their respective salary grades for various divisions within the Commission, including the State Operations, Trial Public Defender Office, Ombudsman Program, and Commission for Parent Counsel. Notably, the bill includes provisions for extra help positions and outlines specific appropriations for regular salaries, personal services matching, operating expenses, and other related costs. The total amount appropriated for the Arkansas Public Defender Commission is $31,596,803 for the Trial Public Defender Office, $4,780,925 for the Commission for Parent Counsel, and $80,491 for the Ombudsman Program.

Additionally, the bill introduces several new provisions, including the authority for the Commission for Parent Counsel to enter into independent contracts for indigent parent representation and the ability to transfer appropriations between line items with prior approval. It also emphasizes compliance with existing fiscal control laws and includes an emergency clause to ensure the bill's effectiveness starting July 1, 2025. The bill reflects a commitment to maintaining adequate legal representation for indigent individuals while ensuring the efficient use of state resources.