WV SB891

Requires West Virginia political subdivisions to obtain Attorney General approval before entering into contingency fee contracts with private attorneys, with the AG having 90 days to approve or deny the arrangement

Mandates public notice and open meeting approval before a political subdivision can hire a contingency fee attorney, including disclosure of reasons for pursuing the matter, attorney qualifications, and why internal resources are insufficient

Requires contracted attorneys to maintain detailed time and expense records that must be available for inspection by the political subdivision and Attorney General, with final statements being public information

Gives political subdivisions exclusive control over litigation decisions, including veto power over outside counsel decisions and sole discretion over settlements

Declares any contingency fee contract entered in violation of these requirements void as against public policy, with no fees payable for work performed under a void contract