H.B. No. 1445 amends Article 26.05(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure to enhance the process for compensating counsel appointed to represent indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings. The bill introduces new provisions that require the fee schedule to include reasonable fixed rates or minimum and maximum hourly rates, while also considering necessary overhead costs and the availability of qualified attorneys. It specifies that payments will only be made after the appointed counsel submits an itemization of services to the presiding judge or the director of a managed assigned counsel program, and that approval must be granted by the judge or the director's designee. If a payment request is disapproved, the judge or director's designee must provide written findings explaining the approved amount and reasons for any discrepancies.

Additionally, the bill allows attorneys whose payment requests are disapproved or not acted upon within 60 days to appeal to the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region. The presiding judge will review the case and may conduct a hearing to determine the appropriate payment amount. The bill stipulates that the commissioners court must pay the approved amount within 45 days of the application submission, in accordance with the county's fee schedule. The provisions of this act will apply only to expenses incurred on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.