postconviction relief proceedings; hourly rate

SB 1035 sets a maximum hourly rate of $100 for attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants in capital postconviction relief proceedings in Arizona, with counties allowed to approve higher rates through their board of supervisors. Payment is required only if a petition is filed on time or a notice of no meritorious claims is submitted, and it mandates that appointed attorneys meet specific qualifications, including five years of Arizona bar membership and three years of criminal appeals experience. The bill also establishes a state-supervised list of qualified attorneys for capital cases and requires counties to seek state reimbursement for these costs, capped at the annual budget allocation for indigent capital defense. This law directly affects counties, the state supreme court, and defense attorneys handling capital postconviction cases.