N.H. Rev. Stat. § 604-B:4
The state of New Hampshire, by the judicial council and with the approval of governor and council, shall contract with any organization or groups of lawyers approved by the board of governors of the New Hampshire Bar Association to operate the public defender program and provide public defender representation as provided in RSA604-B:2 and 3. The contract shall fix the number of defender attorneys providing representation in each county and shall permit the public defender program to subcontract for attorney services, including appellate services, as may be necessary to provide such representation. No such contract shall be effective for longer than 2 years. The compensation for operation of the public defender program shall be such sums as may be fixed by the contract, subject to the appropriations made therefor.
RSA 604-B:4
1977, 296:1. 1981, 568:19, eff. July 1, 1981.