Primary Department: District Courts
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Richard Woods
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Indigent Defense Commission
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the District Courts for approval to submit an application to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for grant funds in the amount of $4,000,000, with no required match, for the FY26 Indigent Defense Formula Grant.
end
Background and Discussion:
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) awards grants to reimburse each Texas County for Indigent Defense services. Formula grants are provided by the Texas Commission to meet its statutory mandates and to promote Texas Counties compliance with standards adopted by the commission. Similar amounts are expected in future grants beginning in FY27.
Expected Impact:
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) awarded grant will be used for indigent defense services that are statutorily mandated, and to ensure Harris County's compliance with standards adopted by the TIDC. This funding will address access to quality counsel. The TIDC works together with counties to promote innovation and improvement in indigent defense systems statewide. The formula grant reimburses each Texas County for expenses related to indigent defense in criminal and juvenile delinquency matters. The alternative is for Harris County to be the sole funding source for court ordered indigent defense expenditures.
Alternative Op...
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