1. There is hereby created a Board on Indigent Defense Services within the Department of Indigent Defense Services, consisting of:

(a) Thirteen voting members appointed as follows:

(1) One member who is an attorney licensed in this State and a member in good standing of the State Bar of Nevada, appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate.

(2) One member who has expertise in the finances of State Government, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(3) One member appointed by the Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court who:

(I) Is a retired judge or justice who no longer serves as a judge or justice in any capacity; or

(II) Has expertise in juvenile justice and criminal law.

(4) One member who is an attorney licensed in this State and a member in good standing of the State Bar of Nevada appointed by the Governor.

(5) One member selected by the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Nevada, appointed by the Governor, who:

(I) Is an attorney licensed in this State and a member in good standing of the State Bar of Nevada; and

(II) Resides in a county whose population is less than 100,000.

(6) Four members selected by the Nevada Association of Counties who reside in a county whose population is less than 100,000, appointed by the Governor. One member must have expertise in the finances of local government.

(7) Two members selected by the Board of County Commissioners of Clark County, appointed by the Governor.

(8) One member selected by the Board of County Commissioners of Washoe County, appointed by the Governor.

(9) One member selected jointly by the associations of the State Bar of Nevada who represent members of racial or ethnic minorities, appointed by the Governor.

(b) The Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court may designate one person to serve as a nonvoting member to represent the interests of the Court.

2. In addition to the members appointed pursuant to subsection 1, the Governor may appoint up to two additional nonvoting members, one of whom must be upon the recommendation of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Nevada.

3. Each person appointed to the Board must have:

(a) Significant experience providing legal representation to indigent persons who are charged with public offenses or to children who are alleged to be delinquent or in need of supervision;

(b) A demonstrated commitment to providing effective legal representation to such indigent persons; or

(c) Expertise or experience, as determined by the appointing authority, which qualifies the person to contribute to the purpose of the Board or to carrying out any of its functions.

4. A person must not be appointed to the Board if he or she is currently serving or employed as:

(a) A judge, justice or judicial officer;

(b) A Legislator or other state officer or employee;

(c) A prosecuting attorney or an employee thereof;

(d) A law enforcement officer or employee of a law enforcement agency; or

(e) An attorney who in his or her position may obtain any financial benefit from the policies adopted by the Board.

5. A person must not be appointed to the Board if he or she is currently employed:

(a) Within the Department of Indigent Defense Services;

(b) By a public defender; or

(c) By any other attorney who provides indigent defense services pursuant to a contract with a county.

6. Each member of the Board:

(a) Serves without compensation; and

(b) While engaged in the business of the Board, is entitled to receive the per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers and employees generally.

7. Each member of the Board who is an officer or employee of a local government must be relieved from his or her duties without loss of his or her regular compensation so that the member may prepare for and attend meetings of the Board and perform any work necessary to carry out the duties of the Board in the most timely manner practicable. A local government shall not require an officer or employee who is a member of the Board to make up the time the member is absent from work to carry out his or her duties as a member, and shall not require the member to take annual vacation or compensatory time for the absence.

(Added to NRS by 2019, 2880)