Bill Sponsor
California Assembly Bill 2605
Session 20252026
State Public Defender: county public defenders: data collection.
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Assembly on Feb 20, 2026
First Action
Feb 20, 2026
Latest Action
Apr 22, 2026
Origin Chamber
Assembly
Type
Bill
Bill Number
2605
State
California
Session
20252026
Sponsorship by Party
Assembly Votes (2)
Motion Text
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Summary
Under existing law, the board of supervisors of any county may establish the office of public defender for the county and authorize reciprocal or mutual assistance agreements with boards of supervisors of other counties authorizing their respective public defenders to enter into reciprocal or mutual assistance agreements, or authorize reciprocal or mutual assistance agreements with the State Public Defender, if the public defender of the county is unable to perform public defender duties because of, among other reasons, lack of personnel, lack of expertise, or lack of other resources by the local office. Existing law, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature, requires the State Public Defender, in consultation with the California Public Defenders Association and other subject matter experts, to undertake a study to assess appropriate workloads for public defenders and indigent defense attorneys and to submit a report with their findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2024. This bill would require the board of supervisors of each county to specify a contact person for the office of public defender, collect specified information on public defense services provided in the county, and report that data to the Office of the State Public Defender every 2 years beginning on January 1, 2029. Because the bill would require local officials to perform additional duties, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Office of the State Public Defender to create and post on its internet website a summary report on public defense services, as specified. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Actions (10)
04/22/2026
Assembly
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
04/22/2026
Assembly
Coauthors revised.
04/16/2026
Assembly
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 15). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
04/09/2026
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
04/08/2026
Assembly
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. Read second time and amended.
03/23/2026
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
03/19/2026
Assembly
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. Read second time and amended.
03/19/2026
Assembly
Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and PUB. S.
02/21/2026
Assembly
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
02/20/2026
Assembly
Read first time. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Feb 21, 2026 8:51:04 AM
Record Updated
Apr 23, 2026 9:03:43 AM