Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2403, introduced by Senator Barrow, aims to recreate the Louisiana Public Defender Optimal Funding Group. This group is tasked with studying and making recommendations on establishing an optimal funding mechanism for the Louisiana Public Defender Board. The resolution highlights the importance of adequate public funding for the right to counsel, as mandated by both the U.S. and Louisiana constitutions. It notes the challenges faced by the public defender system, including budgetary shortfalls that have led to high caseloads and the rejection of clients due to insufficient resources.

The resolution outlines the composition of the group, which will include members appointed by various authorities, including the governor, the chief justice of the supreme court, and the Louisiana State Bar Association, among others. The group is required to submit a report with recommendations by March 1, 2024, and will convene for its first meeting by September 15, 2023. The resolution emphasizes the need for a thoughtful approach to ensure that the public defender system can effectively serve indigent defendants, thereby upholding their constitutional rights.