HB 2713 Summary

• Increases maximum attorney fee awards under section 12-348 from $75,000 to $125,000 per appeal level for prevailing parties in civil actions against the state or political subdivisions, and raises the hourly rate cap from $75 to $350 per hour for these awards.

• Expands the definition of "appealable agency action" to include administrative completeness determinations on license applications, allowing applicants to challenge whether an application is administratively complete.

• Adds new subsection C to section 41-1030 prohibiting agencies from basing decisions on filings or matters submitted by licensees on requirements not specifically authorized by statute, rule, or tribal gaming compact.

• Creates a new definition of "licensing decision" in section 41-1001 and adds a regulatory bill of rights provision (section 41-1001.01) requiring agencies to allow persons to correct inspection deficiencies unless the deficiencies are intentional, uncorrectable, part of a pattern, or create health or safety risks.

• Mandates that section 41-1009 (inspection and audit requirements) applies to all state agencies conducting inspections and takes precedence over conflicting statutes, establishing uniform rights for regulated persons regarding photo identification, purpose disclosure, sample splits, document copies, and attorney representation during inspections.