(a) The council may assist the public defenders throughout the state in their efforts to provide adequate legal defense to the indigent. Assistance may include:

(1) The preparation and distribution of a basic defense manual and other educational materials;

(2) The preparation and distribution of model forms and documents employed in indigent defense;

(3) The promotion of and assistance in the training of indigent defense attorneys;

(4) The provision of legal research assistance to public defenders; and

(5) The provision of such other assistance to public defenders as may be authorized by law.

(b) The council:

(1) Shall be the fiscal officer for the circuit public defender offices and shall account for all moneys received from each governing authority; and

(2) May collect, maintain, review, and publish in print or electronically records and statistics for the purpose of evaluating the delivery of indigent defense representation in Georgia.