A. The "public defender automation fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall be administered by the department. The department shall report on the status of the fund to the legislative finance committee during each legislative interim.
B. All balances in the public defender automation fund are appropriated to the department for the purchase and maintenance of automation systems for the department.
C. Payments from the public defender automation fund shall be made pursuant to vouchers issued and signed by the chief upon warrants drawn by the secretary of finance and administration. Any purchase or lease-purchase agreement entered into pursuant to this section shall be entered into in accordance with the Procurement Code [ 13-1-28 to 13-1-199 NMSA 1978].