Certain lawyers would send pooled account earnings to public defenders or state

Covered lawyers would send interest or dividends from shared client accounts they control. The rule would cover lawyers with an office or practice in New Hampshire, with exceptions for judges, government lawyers, and other listed roles. The wording about private practice is unclear. The money would go to the public defender's office if it meets the bill's rules. Otherwise, it would go to the state's general fund. Lawyers would send the earnings at least once each quarter. The proposed rule would have started 60 days after passage.

The public defender's office could receive the earnings if it meets the bill's rules; otherwise, they would go to the state's general fund. These conditions apply to the New Hampshire public defender's office and the account earnings sent by covered lawyers. The office must give no money to any nonprofit group or political campaign during that quarter. It must publish its full budget using accepted accounting rules. The office would have to publish its budget within 90 days after its fiscal year ends.