A bill for an act creating a rural attorney recruitment assistance program, and making appropriations.

HF 209 establishes a rural attorney recruitment assistance program, managed by the College Student Aid Commission. This program helps eligible rural counties and municipalities with populations under 26,000 recruit attorneys by offering incentive payments. Attorneys who commit to practicing full-time in an eligible rural area for five years receive annual payments, which are partially funded by the participating county or municipality and partly by the state. To qualify, attorneys must also serve as contract public defenders and participate in volunteer legal projects. The program is initially limited to five attorneys, with that limitation set to expire in 2026.