relative to grand jury minutes and relative to the defense and indemnification of certain government officers and employees.

HB 1608 requires grand juries to appoint a clerk to preserve minutes of their proceedings, ensuring criminal defendants can access relevant grand jury minutes in their cases. It also expands state-funded legal defense and protection for local government attorneys - specifically assistant county attorneys, county attorneys, and municipal prosecutors - when facing complaints or investigations from licensing boards or regulatory agencies. This applies only when these officials act within their official duties, not in reckless or wanton ways. The bill may increase state costs for legal staffing and litigation, with estimated annual expenses ranging from $500,000 to $1 million, though it does not provide new funding.