FL S1100

Department of Legal Affairs must obtain Attorney General's written determination that contracted private legal services are cost-effective and in the public interest before entering into any legal representation contract (excluding contingency fee agreements)

Written determination must include specific findings on departmental resources, attorney qualifications and experience, time/labor requirements, case complexity, and geographic service area

Attorney General must request proposals from private attorneys after making the determination; the determination is not subject to administrative review and contract awards cannot be challenged under the Administrative Procedure Act

Contracted attorneys must maintain detailed time records in 1/10 hour increments and provide them biweekly to the department; department must post contracts, determinations, time records, and payment information on its website within 5-15 business days and maintain for at least 365 days

Attorney General must submit annual report by February 1 to the Legislature identifying all active and new legal representation contracts, including attorney names, case details, recoveries, and fees paid