S.B. No. 2009 aims to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding the compensation of counsel appointed to represent indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings. The bill modifies Article 26.05(c) to include provisions for the approval of payment requests by either the presiding judge or the director of a managed assigned counsel program, along with their designee. It establishes that no payment will be made until the itemization form is submitted and approved, and if a payment request is disapproved, the judge or director must provide written findings explaining the approved amount and reasons for any discrepancies. Additionally, attorneys have the right to appeal disapproved payment requests to the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region.

The bill also stipulates that the amended provisions will only apply to expenses incurred by attorneys on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. This legislative change is intended to ensure a more structured and transparent process for compensating appointed counsel, thereby enhancing the representation of indigent individuals in the legal system.