This bill amends Florida Statutes to establish new regulations regarding legal representation contracts entered into by the Department of Legal Affairs. It defines the term "contingency fee" and introduces a new section, 16.0156, which outlines the requirements for legal representation contracts. The bill prohibits the Department from entering into such contracts until the Attorney General provides a written determination that the representation is cost-effective and in the public interest, including specific findings on various factors such as available resources and the complexity of the legal issues involved.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Attorney General request proposals from private attorneys after making the determination, and it specifies that this determination is not subject to review as a final agency action. It requires contracted attorneys to maintain detailed time records and submit them biweekly, while the Department must post relevant information, including contracts and payments, on its website for public inspection. Furthermore, the Attorney General is tasked with submitting an annual report to the Legislature detailing the use of these contracts, including identifying the attorneys involved and the nature of the legal matters. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.