House panel passes public defender funding measure

By Bill Rankin

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A key House panel Wednesday passed a measure to allow a constitutional amendment be placed on the ballot to let voters decide whether a revenue stream set up to fund Georgia's indigent defense system can be dedicated solely for that reason.

House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Chairman Rich Golick, R-Smyrna, who sponsored House Resolution 977, said the public defender system needs to be on as solid financial footing as possible.

During a special session in 2004, the Legislature established a system to fund the financially struggling defender program through increased court fines and fees. But in past years lawmakers have diverted millions of dollars in collections to other programs. If the constitutional amendment is ultimately approved, this will no longer be possible and all collections must go to the defender system.