This bill proposes an appropriation for the commission on legal counsel for indigents, aimed at covering its expenses for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The total appropriation amounts to $26,343,882, which includes base level enhancements and a new and vacant full-time equivalent (FTE) pool. Specifically, the commission will receive $25,789,125, with an additional $554,757 allocated for the new and vacant FTE pool. The bill also stipulates that the commission cannot spend the funds from the new and vacant FTE pool directly but may request a transfer to the main line item as needed.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection to section 54-44.3-20 of the North Dakota Century Code, which specifically addresses the employment of attorneys by the commission on legal counsel for indigents. This addition aims to clarify the status and roles of these attorneys within the state service framework. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the operational capacity of the commission while ensuring proper management of its resources.