SPONSOR: Parker
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Judiciary by a vote of 12 to 0.
This bill repeals from the definition of "reasonable fees and expenses", as it relates to civil actions or agency proceedings, the prohibition on attorneys being awarded more than $75 per hour unless the court determines that a special factor justifies a higher fee.
This bill is similar to HB 179 (2025).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this changes a provision in agency proceedings that sets attorneys’ fees in these proceedings. The bill removes that amount and changes it to a reasonable amount. The fee hasn’t been changed since 1989. Any licensed professional who has to defend his or her license can hire an attorney and it’s hard to find one to do it at such a rate, so they want to make sure these attorneys are fairly compensated. It would make it easier to find an attorney. Removing the cap would allow good judgment to be shown in assigning the fee and will help bring great representation to licensees in the State.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Parker; The Missouri Bar; and David Barrett.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: