HB 598 - Under this act, the fee that a private attorney retained by the state is entitled to receive is limited based on the amount that is recovered in the action. Furthermore, the total fee payable to all retained private attorneys in any matter that is the subject of a contingency fee contract shall not exceed $10 million, regardless of the number of actions, proceedings, or attorneys involved in the matter. Contingency fees shall only be payable from moneys that are actually received under a judgment or settlement agreement and shall not be based on any amount attributable to a fine or civil penalty. This act also requires every department and division of the state, including the General Assembly and the offices of statewide elected officials and each executive branch appointee, to make information available to the public relating to all contracts entered into greater than $2,500 for the provision of legal services by private law firms. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 258 (2017), substantially similar to SCS/SB 122 (2017) and a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 704 (2016), and similar to HB 1925 (2016) and HCS/SCS/SB 14 (2015). SCOTT SVAGERA
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