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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1962 Introduced by Assembly Member Hart February 13, 2026 An act relating to indigent defense. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1962, as introduced, Hart. California Indigent Defense Commission. Existing law affords a defendant in a criminal case a federal and state constitutional right to have the assistance of counsel for the defendant’s defense. Under existing law, if the defendant in a criminal case is unable to employ counsel, the court is required to assign counsel to defend them, as specified. Under existing law, one of the primary responsibilities of the State Public Defender is to engage in efforts to improve the quality of indigent defense. Existing law authorizes the State Public Defender to administer and award grants to improve indigent defense services. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish the California Indigent Defense Commission, an entity responsible for ensuring that indigent defense services meet constitutional and professional standards. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish the California Indigent Defense Commission, an entity responsible for ensuring that indigent defense services meet constitutional and professional standards.