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NY A05883

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/24/2025

Primary Sponsor

Grace Lee

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Origin

Assembly

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Prohibits the state from paying attorneys' fees or expenses for any employee who brings a lawsuit against the state

  • Requires the comptroller to determine that state-paid legal fees are proportional to case needs and consistent with defense methods used in similar cases

  • Creates a presumption that attorneys' fees are unreasonable when an employee hires multiple law firms for the same matter, unless distinct subject matter expertise is demonstrated

  • Authorizes the state to refuse payment of any attorneys' fees deemed unreasonable by the comptroller

  • Applies to all cases filed on or after the effective date of the act

Legislative Description

Enacts the "state taxpayer oversight and protection (STOP) act"; relates to the payment of attorneys' fees by the state; provides that no attorneys' fees or expenses shall be paid if incurred on behalf of an employee in any action brought by the employee against the state; provides that attorneys' fees shall be presumptively unreasonable where an individual hires or employs multiple law firms on the same matter unless such employee can demonstrate the need for additional attorneys with distinct subject matter expertise.

Last Action

referred to governmental operations

1/7/2026

Committee Referrals

Governmental Operations2/24/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available