The bill also creates a House-Senate Joint Legislative Committee on Article V to oversee the implementation of the constitutional amendment. Under the law, the legislature will follow a specific schedule for reviewing courts and related agencies. Set up pilot projects in three counties to cover reasonable and necessary expenses for conflict attorneys in criminal cases. Define state responsibility for funding judges, state attorneys, public defenders, essential staff, jury compensation, witness costs, court reporting, reasonable accommodation for the disabled and facilities for the district courts of appeal and the Supreme Court. Define counties as being responsible for construction or lease and maintenance of facilities, providing utilities, security and communications systems and existing multi-agency communications systems.
Counties are also responsible for any expenses related to local requirements.
The implementation plan and interim project lists adopted by the task force contains more than two dozen studies and projects to get information about court-related expenses. Review all court programs that are not constitutionally mandated with an emphasis on finding programs that improve the administration of justice or reduce costs. Study how ethical conflicts are defined by public defenders in each circuit and propose an interim project to monitor and approve expenditures for conflict counsel and associated costs. Examine whether third degree misdemeanors could be more efficiently handled through a civil process or through community-based penalties. Study caseload and case management systems for both state attorneys and public defenders.