BILL · 2017–18 SESSION

SB 5376: Indigent defense

Modifying indigent defense provisions.

Summary

Makes changes to provisions governing indigency determinations for the purposes of appointment of counsel, including to expressly require a determination of whether or not a person is indigent and able to contribute.
Revises the definition of indigent and able to contribute to include persons who meet any of the statutory grounds for indigency.
Raises the maximum fair market value of a motor vehicle exempt from the calculation of available funds from $3,000 to $6,000.
Requires the Office of Public Defense to periodically offer training for the offices and individuals responsible for determining indigency, and to publish statewide data regarding the customary charges for retaining private counsel.

From the House Bill Analysis 2017 (SB 5376), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House

AN ACT Relating to indigent defense;

Passed February 28, 2017

Version voted on: SB 5376

25 Yea 24 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	2	23	0	0
Republican	23	1	0	0

How each member voted

Jan 8, 2018Senate Rules "X" file.
Apr 23, 2017Placed on Rules White Sheet.
Apr 23, 2017By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
Mar 3, 2017First reading, referred to Judiciary (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).
Mar 2, 2017No action on notice to reconsider vote on final passage.
Feb 28, 2017Third reading, passed; yeas, 25; nays, 24; absent, 0; excused, 0.
Feb 28, 2017Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Feb 28, 2017Notice given to reconsider vote on final passage.
Feb 14, 2017Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 2, 2017Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 1, 2017Minority; do not pass.
Feb 1, 2017LAW - Majority; do pass.
Jan 20, 2017First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

SB 5376 (2025–26) Cruelty to animals · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5376 (2023–24) Cannabis waste · Enacted · Chapter 243, Laws of 2024
SB 5376 (2021–22) Education ombuds awareness · Enacted · Chapter 222, Laws of 2022
SB 5376 (2019–20) Consumer data · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5376 (2015–16) Eviction records reporting · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
SB 5376 (2013–14) Juvenile firearms crimes · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5376 (2011–12) Natural resource agencies · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5376 (2009–10) Higher edu coord brd grants · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House