Legal Representation Contracts
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SB 148 — Legal Representation Contracts
Last action — Died in Judiciary
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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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 2025 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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; Defining the term “contingency fee”; 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 request for proposals and the contract award are not subject to challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act, etc.
Bill Text
- Introduced S 148 Filed Current pdf
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
This bill amends existing law to define 'contingency fee' and establishes new requirements for legal representation contracts entered into by the Department of Legal Affairs.
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16.0155
“Contingency fee” means compensation that is dependent or contingent in whole or in part upon the successful prosecution or settlement of an action or a claim, and such compensation includes an attorney fee that is authorized by statute.
It defines the term 'contingency fee' within the context of 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.
It prohibits the Department of Legal Affairs from entering contracts without a cost-effectiveness determination by the Attorney General.
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16.0156
The determination must include specific findings regarding each of the following factors: whether sufficient and appropriate legal and financial resources are available within the department to support the contract and whether requests for proposals for legal representation are feasible given the specific circumstances of the case; the time, labor, and legal skill level required of the contracted attorney and the novelty, complexity, and difficulty of the questions involved in the case; the geographic area where the attorney services are to be provided; the amount of experience required for the particular legal services to be provided and the nature of the contracted attorney’s experience with similar issues or cases.
It specifies the criteria that must be included in the Attorney General's written determination before contracts can be made.
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16.0156
The written determination does not constitute a final agency action subject to review pursuant to s. 120.569 or s. 120.57.
It clarifies that the determination made by the Attorney General is not subject to legal review.
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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.
It imposes specific record-keeping requirements on contracted attorneys.
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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. The department shall update monthly the expenses posted on the website.
It mandates public transparency regarding the records related to the legal representation contracts.
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16.0156
Copies of any executed legal representation contract and the written determination made under subsection (2) must be posted on the department’s website for public inspection within 5 business days after the date the contract is executed.
It requires timely posting of legal contracts and determinations for public access.
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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.
It mandates an annual report on the use of legal representation contracts to enhance legislative oversight.
Action History
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Died in Judiciary
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Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
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Introduced
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Referred to Judiciary; Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; 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 148 do?
- Legal Representation Contracts; Defining the term “contingency fee”; 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 request for proposals and the contract award are not subject to challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act, etc.
- Who sponsors SB 148?
- SB 148 is sponsored by Polsky, Tina Scott (Democrat).
- What is the current status of SB 148?
- This bill died with 2025 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 148?
- Track SB 148 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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