SB 1487 Summary

• Establishes requirements for cities, towns, and counties to enter contingency fee contracts with private attorneys, including mandatory written determinations that such arrangements are cost-effective and in the public interest.

• Caps contingency fees on a sliding scale: 25% on recoveries under $10 million, declining to 5% on recoveries of $25 million or more, with a maximum aggregate fee of $50 million regardless of the number of lawsuits or attorneys retained.

• Requires government attorneys to maintain supervisory control and veto power over litigation decisions, with settlement decisions prohibited from being delegated to private attorneys.

• Mandates public posting of executed contingency fee contracts and written determinations on city/town/county websites within five business days (or when lawsuit is filed), with payment information posted within 15 days.

• Requires annual reports to state officials by February 1 detailing all contingency fee contracts, recoveries, fees paid, and written determinations made in the preceding calendar year.