S.B. No. 1353
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the provision and administration of indigent defense
  services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 79.037, Government Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (e) to read
  as follows:
         (b)  The commission shall distribute funds as described 
  [required] by Subsection (a)(2) or (e) based on the applicable [a]
  county's compliance with standards adopted by the board and the
  county's demonstrated commitment to compliance with the
  requirements of state law relating to indigent defense.
         (c)  The board shall adopt policies to ensure that funds
  under Subsection (a)(2) or (e) are allocated and distributed [to
  counties] in a fair manner.
         (e)  The commission may award a grant to an entity described
  by Section 791.013 that provides to a county administrative
  services under an interlocal contract entered into for the purpose
  of providing or improving the provision of indigent defense
  services in the county.  The commission shall monitor each entity
  that receives a grant under this subsection and enforce compliance
  with the conditions of the grant in the same manner as if the grant
  were awarded directly to a county under Subsection (a)(2).
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 79, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 79.040 to read as follows:
         Sec. 79.040.  INDIGENT DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEM. (a)  By
  entering into an interlocal contract with one or more counties
  under Chapter 791, the commission may participate and assist
  counties in the creation, implementation, operation, and
  maintenance of a computerized system to be used to assist those
  counties in the provision and administration of indigent defense
  services and to be used to collect data from those counties
  regarding representation of indigent defendants in this state.
         (b)  The commission may use appropriated funds to pay costs
  incurred under an interlocal contract described by Subsection (a),
  including license fees, implementation costs, maintenance and
  operations costs, administrative costs, and any other costs
  specified in the interlocal contract. 
         (c)  The commission may provide training services to
  counties on the use and operation of a system created, implemented,
  operated, or maintained by one or more counties under Subsection
  (a). 
         (d)  Subchapter L, Chapter 2054, does not apply to an
  indigent defense information system created under this section. 
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1353 passed the Senate on
  April 23, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1353 passed the House on
  May 5, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, two present
  not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor