Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.

HB 1445 updates payment rules for attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants in Texas criminal and juvenile court cases. It requires counties to establish fee schedules with clear hourly rates or fixed fees that account for attorney overhead costs, and mandates that appointed counsel submit itemized service records for approval. The bill sets a 60-day deadline for judges or program directors to approve or deny payments with written justification, and creates a 45-day payment window after approval. These changes apply to expenses incurred on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting court-appointed defense attorneys and county payment systems.