FL S0102

Legislature may declare by concurrent resolution that circumstances causing substantial economic loss to governmental entities in 15 or more counties constitute a "matter of great governmental concern."

Attorney General receives sole authority to file and manage civil proceedings related to declared matters of great governmental concern in state and federal courts.

Any monetary awards from civil proceedings are subject to full appropriation by the Legislature and cannot be spent or encumbered by the Attorney General or settlement terms.

Legislative declaration of a matter of great governmental concern abates or stays pending civil proceedings by governmental entities and tolls statutes of limitations for up to 1 year.

Governmental entities that retained attorneys before declaration may apply to court for recovery of reasonable attorney fees and costs from any recovery, with court considering factors including time and labor, difficulty, customary fees, and results obtained.