Overview
- The state’s public defense commission says it has exhausted its budget and is $13 million short this fiscal year, with final payments scheduled for March 23.
- Without new money, the agency says it cannot reimburse private lawyers from April through mid‑July for work already performed.
- The House passed an emergency bill to provide $22 million—$13 million for the current shortfall and $9 million for next year—and sent it to the Senate.
- Emergency enactment would require a two‑thirds legislative vote to take effect before adjournment, according to lawmakers’ plans.
- Gov. Janet Mills proposed about $25 million in one‑time support and suggested tapping the rainy day fund, as the commission warns unpaid counsel could violate legal rights and notes only about 180 attorneys were enrolled in February.