SB 170 — Legal Representation Contracts
Last action — Died in Judiciary
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Summary
Legal Representation Contracts; Prohibiting the Department of Legal Affairs from entering into certain contracts until the Attorney General makes a specified written determination; requiring the Attorney General to request proposals from private attorneys after making such determination; providing that the written determination does not constitute a final agency action that is subject to review; providing that the request for proposals and the contract award are not subject to challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act, etc.
Bill Text
- Introduced S 170 Filed Current pdf
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill creates new regulations for legal representation contracts entered into by the Department of Legal Affairs, including a requirement for a written determination by the Attorney General regarding cost-effectiveness and public interest before executing such contracts.
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16.0155
Contingency fee means compensation that is dependent or contingent in whole or in part on the successful prosecution or settlement of an action or claim, and such compensation includes an attorney fee that is authorized by statute.
Defines 'contingency fee' for legal agreements.
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16.0156
The department may not enter into a legal representation contract until the Attorney General makes a written determination that such representation is both cost-effective and in the public interest.
Requires a written determination from the Attorney General before entering into legal representation contracts.
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16.0156
The determination must include specific findings regarding each of the following factors: [list of factors].
Establishes criteria the Attorney General must consider when making the determination.
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16.0156
For purposes of this subsection only, the department is exempt from the requirements imposed by s. 120.57(3), and neither the request for proposals nor the contract award is subject to challenge pursuant to s. 120.569 or s. 120.57.
Exempts the department from certain administrative review processes for these contracts.
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16.0156
In addition to the requirements set forth in s. 287.059(16), any contracted attorney shall maintain detailed contemporaneous time records for the attorneys and paralegals working on the matter in increments not exceeding 1/10 of an hour and shall provide such records to the department biweekly.
Requires contracted attorneys to keep detailed time records for accountability.
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16.0156
The department shall post and maintain the records on the department’s website for public inspection for the duration of the representation.
Mandates public posting of contract records for transparency.
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16.0156
By February 1 of each year, the Attorney General shall submit a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives describing the use of legal representation contracts under this section in the preceding calendar year.
Adds a reporting requirement for the Attorney General regarding legal representation contracts.
Action History
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Died in Judiciary
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Introduced
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Referred to Judiciary; Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Rules
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Filed
Sponsors
- Tina Scott Polsky · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 163 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Polsky, Tina Scott Democrat
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (163)
163 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 163 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 170 do?
- Legal Representation Contracts; Prohibiting the Department of Legal Affairs from entering into certain contracts until the Attorney General makes a specified written determination; requiring the Attorney General to request proposals from private attorneys after making such determination; providing that the written determination does not constitute a final agency action that is subject to review; providing that the request for proposals and the contract award are not subject to challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act, etc.
- Who sponsors SB 170?
- SB 170 is sponsored by Polsky, Tina Scott (Democrat).
- What is the current status of SB 170?
- This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track SB 170?
- Track SB 170 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously
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