House Bill No. introduced by B. Mercer aims to revise the requirements for awarding attorney fees to parties who prevail against the state government. The bill establishes specific elements that must be demonstrated when seeking such claims, including the necessity of an engagement letter or representation agreement detailing the scope of representation and hourly rates, daily documentation of work performed with precise time increments, and proof of payment for the invoices within a specified timeframe. However, an exception is provided for parties whose income and assets do not exceed $250,000 at the end of the most recent fiscal year, exempting them from these requirements. Additionally, parties may redact any information protected by attorney-client privilege in their disclosures.

The bill also includes a codification instruction, indicating that the new provisions will be integrated into Title 25, chapter 10, part 3 of the Montana Code. This legislative change seeks to clarify the process and requirements for claiming attorney fees against the government, ensuring transparency and accountability while also providing relief for lower-income parties.