Page 1 of 1 LRC 2024-BR1080-HB254
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY FISCAL NOTE STATEMENT
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION
2024 REGULAR SESSION
MEASURE
2024 BR NUMBER 1080 HOUSE BILL NUMBER 254
TITLE AN ACT relating to the Department of Public Advocacy.
SPONSOR Representative Daniel Elliott
FISCAL SUMMARY
STATE FISCAL IMPACT: YES NO UNCERTAIN
OTHER FISCAL STATEMENT (S) THAT MAY APPLY: ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS
LOCAL MANDATE CORRECTIONS IMPACT HEALTH BENEFIT MANDATE
APPROPRIATION UNIT(S) IMPACTED: Corrections and Public Advocacy
FUND(S) IMPACTED: GENERAL ROAD FEDERAL RESTRICTED
FISCAL
ESTIMATES
2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 ANNUAL IMPACT AT
FULL
IMPLEMENTATION
REVENUES
EXPENDITURES Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable
NET EFFECT Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable
( ) indicates a decrease/negative
PURPOSE OF MEASURE: This legislation reorganizes the Department of Public Advocacy
(DPA), exempts its positions from classified service, prescribes that the compensation of
attorneys is to be set by the Public Advocate, ties the compensation of the Public Advocate to
that of Commonwealth’s Attorneys, and reduces the penalty for attorneys who accept fees or
compensation from a client from a Class D felony to a Class A misdemeanor.
FISCAL EXPLANATION : This legislation has an indeterminable impact and is contingent
upon the salaries awarded to DPA attorneys, which will be subject to future budget requests to
the General Assembly.
There is a potential for incarceration cost savings as it relates to reducing the penalty for
attorneys who violate KRS 31.215. The potential cost savings are indeterminable as it is
unknown how many offenders will avoid a felony conviction under these provisions.
DATA SOURCE(S): LRC staff and Corrections impact statement
PREPARER: Zach Ireland NOTE NUMBER: 158 REVIEW: JB DATE: 3/21/2024