HB 2334 Summary

• Requires state agencies to conduct open and competitive bidding before retaining private counsel when fees and expenses exceed $100,000.

• Mandates legislative review for any contract with private attorneys exceeding $1 million, with submission to the House chief clerk and appropriate committee for approval.

• Establishes 45-day review period for legislative committees to examine proposed contracts and recommend changes; agencies may proceed if no changes recommended within timeframe.

• Requires outside counsel paid on contingent fee basis to submit statement detailing hours worked, expenses, and aggregate fee amount calculated as hourly rate equivalent.

• Caps state reimbursement for legal services at $1,000 per hour; reduces any contingent fee that calculates to a higher hourly rate down to $1,000 per hour.