Authority: §§ 19.2-163.1 through 19.2-163.8, Code of Virginia, as amended by Chapter 884 of the Acts of Assembly 2004.

A. Out of the amounts provided for criminal indigent defense, $5,931,546 the first year and $5,931,546 the second year from the general fund is provided to establish four public defender offices in Arlington County (including the City of Falls Church) and the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, and Newport News. The Indigent Defense Commission shall give priority in establishing these public defender offices first to the City of Newport News.

B.  Pursuant to § 19.2-163.01 (A) (9), Code of Virginia, the Executive Director of the Indigent Defense Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission.

C. Out of the amounts in this Item, $1,609,686 from the general fund in the second year is provided for a 9 percent increase in the base salary for public defender office attorneys and a 24 percent increase in the base salary for Capital Defender office attorneys to attract and retain qualified counsel to represent indigent criminal litigants in the Commonwealth, and a nine percent increase in the base salary for administrative and support personnel, effective November 25, 2007, subject to the approval of a compensation plan by the Indigent Defense Commission.

D. Out of the amounts in this Item, $200,000 from the general fund in the second year is provided to support two positions to enforce and monitor compliance with the new Standards of Practice for court-appointed counsel.

E. On or before June 30, 2007, the Director, Department of Planning and Budget shall unallot $3,000,000 from the balances in the Indigent Defense Commission, which shall revert to the general fund.