FL H1389

Department of Legal Affairs may not enter legal representation contracts with private attorneys unless the Attorney General first makes a written determination that such representation is both cost-effective and in the public interest.

Attorney General's determination must address specific factors including departmental resource availability, time and skill required, geographic location, and attorney experience with similar cases, and must request proposals from private attorneys after making the determination.

Contracted private attorneys must maintain detailed time records in increments not exceeding 1/10 hour and provide records to the department biweekly; department must post time records and expenses on its website for public inspection.

Department must post executed contracts and written determinations on its website within 5 business days of execution; attorney fee payments must be posted within 15 days and remain posted for at least 365 days.

Attorney General must submit annual report to Legislature by February 1 each year identifying all contracts, contractor names and law firms, legal matter details, parties involved, recovery amounts, and fees paid, plus copies of all written determinations made that year.