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A.B. 15
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*AB15*
ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 15–COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
(ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES)
PREFILED OCTOBER 28, 2026
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Referred to Committee on Judiciary
SUMMARY—Revises provisions relating to appointed defense
counsel in criminal proceedings. (BDR 1-141)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State: May have Fiscal Impact.
Effect on the State Highway Fund: No.
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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to criminal defense; revising provisions relating to
claims for compensation and expenses made by appointed
defense counsel in criminal proceedings; and providing
other matters properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
Existing law provides that an attorney, other than a public defender, who is
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appointed to represent or defend a person during any stage of a criminal proceeding
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is entitled to receive compensation for court appearances and other time reasonably
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spent on the matter. (NRS 7.125) Additionally, existing law authorizes
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reimbursement for any necessary expenses reasonably incurred by such an attorney
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during such representation. (NRS 7.135) Existing law prohibits payment of
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compensation and expenses unless such an attorney submits a claim within 60 days
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after the representation is terminated. (NRS 7.145)
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Section 1 of this bill instead allows such an attorney to submit a claim within
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90 days after performing the compensable service or incurring the expense. Section
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2 of this bill provides that the amendatory provisions of this bill apply to claims
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submitted by such an attorney who is appointed on or after July 1, 2027, the
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effective date of this bill.
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*AB15*
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. NRS 7.145 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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7.145 1. A claim for compensation and expenses made
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pursuant to NRS 7.125 or 7.135 must not be paid unless it is
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submitted within [60] 90 days after the [representation is
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terminated:] date the attorney performed the compensable service
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or incurred the expense:
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(a) In a county whose population is less than 100,000, to the
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Department or its designee in compliance with the plan of the
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county for the provision of indigent defense services; or
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(b) In a county whose population is 100,000 or more, in
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compliance with the plan of the county for the provision of indigent
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defense services.
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2. Each claim must be:
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(a) Supported by a sworn statement specifying the time
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expended in court, the services rendered out of court and the time
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expended therein, the expenses incurred while the case was pending
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and the compensation and reimbursement applied for or received in
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the same case from any other source.
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(b) Reviewed and, if necessary, modified and paid in
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compliance with the plan of the county for the provision of indigent
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defense services.
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3. Any dispute regarding the approval, denial or modification
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of a claim may be reviewed by the trial court based upon reasonable
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and necessary standards.
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Sec. 2. The amendatory provisions of this act apply to a claim
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for compensation and expenses made pursuant to NRS 7.125 or
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7.135 that is submitted by an attorney who is appointed on or after
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July 1, 2027.
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Sec. 3. This act becomes effective on July 1, 2027.
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