H 953

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
  SESSION 2025
 H  2
  HOUSE BILL 953
  Committee Substitute Favorable 5/6/25
 Short Title:   Study Committee on ADA/APD/PAC Pay.  (Public)
 Sponsors:
 Referred to:
  April 14, 2025
1A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE STUDY COMMITTEE ON ASSISTANT DISTRICT
3     ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND PRIVATE ASSIGNED
4     COUNSEL PAY RATES.
5 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
6SECTION 1. Committee Established. – There is established the Study Committee
7 on Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Public Defender, and Private Assigned Counsel Pay
8 Rates (Committee). The Committee shall include 12 voting members, as follows:
9(1)     Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of
10the House of Representatives.
11(2)     Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the
12Senate.
13(3)     The Executive Director of the Conference of District Attorneys or the
14Executive Director's designee.
15(4)     One member appointed by the Conference of District Attorneys.
16(5)     The Executive Director of Indigent Defense Services or the Executive
17Director's designee.
18(6)     One member appointed by the Office of Indigent Defense Services.
19(7)     Two members of the State Bar that practice criminal law, appointed by the
20North Carolina Bar Association.
21(8)     Two members of the State Bar that practice criminal law, appointed by the
22Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
23SECTION 2. Cochairs. – The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker
24 of the House of Representatives shall each designate a cochair from their appointees.
25SECTION 3. Vacancies. – A vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by the original
26 appointing authority using the criteria for the prior appointment.
27SECTION 4. Duties. – The Committee shall serve as a study and advisory committee
28 on the pay rates of assistant district attorneys, assistant public defenders, and private assigned
29 counsel. Pursuant to this work, the Committee shall study, at a minimum, each of the following:
30(1)     The current state of assistant district attorney, assistant public defender, and
31private assigned counsel pay throughout the State, in general, and when
32separated into the three cost-of-living categories of urban, suburban, and rural.
33(2)     The current pay structure for assistant district attorneys, assistant public
34defenders, and private assigned counsel.
  *H953-v-2*
 General Assembly Of North Carolina  Session 2025
1(3)     The comparison between North Carolina's pay and pay structures studied
2pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of this section and the pay and pay
3structures of comparable positions in neighboring and nearby states.
4(4)     The differences in cost of living, availability of housing, and other associated
5costs in various cities, counties, and regions of the State.
6(5)     Factors that positively or negatively influence law students and attorneys
7regarding the choice to serve as assistant district attorneys, assistant public
8defenders, or private assigned counsel, including, at a minimum, the following
9factors:
10a.       Local amenities.
11b.       Local school quality.
12c.       Economic development opportunities.
13(6)     The structured pay model utilized by the Offices of the United States
14Attorneys.
15(7)     The structured pay and amenity allowances utilized by the United States
16Armed Services.
17(8)     Any other subject the Committee finds relevant to its work.
18SECTION 5. Administration. – The Committee shall meet upon the call of its
19 cochairs, and a quorum of the Committee shall be a majority of its voting members. Members of
20 the Committee shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in
21 accordance with G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, and 138-6, as applicable. The Committee may meet in the
22 Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Legislative Services Officer shall
23 assign professional and clerical staff and provide other necessary resources to assist the
24 Committee in its work.
25SECTION 6. Reporting. – No later than March 1, 2026, in an interim report, and
26 March 1, 2027, in a final report, the Committee shall report to the following entities regarding
27 the information studied pursuant to this act, including any related findings and legislative
28 recommendations:
29(1)     The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety.
30(2)     The Senate Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety.
31(3)     The House Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety.
32SECTION 7. This act is effective when it becomes law.
 Page 2  House Bill 953-Second Edition