MO HB1181

Attorney General must make written determination that contingency fee contracts are cost-effective and in the public interest before engaging private attorneys, including specific findings on available resources, case complexity, geographic location, and attorney experience.

Contingency fee caps are tiered: 25% on first $10 million, 20% on $10-15 million, 15% on $15-20 million, 10% on $20-25 million, and 5% on amounts exceeding $25 million, with aggregate fee not to exceed $50 million.

Government attorneys must retain complete control of litigation strategy and decisions, with supervisory oversight, veto power over outside counsel decisions, and exclusive authority over settlement determinations.

Attorney General must post executed contracts, written determinations, and contingency fee payments on the website within specified timeframes and file annual reports to the General Assembly detailing all contracts, parties, case status, recoveries, and fees paid.

Private attorneys must maintain detailed records of all expenses, disbursements, and time records in increments of no greater than one-tenth of one hour for at least four years after contract expiration.