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NEWS FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: MICK BULLOCK - 601-441-0701 SENATE PASSES FIRST BILL WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BRYANT PRESIDING -MEASURE AIMS TO BRING ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE 1.25.08 - The taxpayers of Mississippi may soon be able to know how much state money is being paid to private law firms who are hired to handle official state legal business. The Mississippi Senate passed Senate Bill 2188, which restructures the process of hiring outside legal counsel to provide more public oversight. “Not only does this bring sunshine to the process of hiring outside counsel, it’s simply good government,” Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant stated. “I am proud that the first piece of legislation passed by the Senate is a significant law change that will provide more openness and accountability in government.” The sunshine legislation is a major part of the Lt. Governor’s Accountability Agenda. The legislation requires contracts for legal services to be submitted to the Personal Service Contract Review Board when the anticipated fee is in excess of $500,000. This bill also requires that attorneys hired by the Attorney General must submit detailed records and expense reports for public review. Private lawyers who have a contingent fee contract with the state are limited to a recovery of $1 Million under the contract, as well as expenses and court costs. These types of arrangements have come under fire in recent months, with the most publicized being a settlement between the state and MCI, where over $14 million in legal fees were paid to the private law firms who represented the state for less than a year. It also, allows a state agency director to retain separate legal counsel, without the approval of the Attorney General, if there is a conflict of interest between the Attorney General and the agency. The measure is now headed to the House for consideration. About Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant
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