The proposed bill, known as the Private Attorney Retention Sunshine Act, aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer dollars for legal services by the Attorney General's office. It establishes a requirement for an open and competitive bidding process before retaining private attorneys for contracts exceeding ten thousand dollars. The bill mandates that any proposed contract be filed with the appropriate legislative committee or executive board, which must hold a public hearing and issue a report on the contract. The Attorney General is required to consider any recommended changes from the committee or board before finalizing the contract, and if any changes are omitted, an explanation must be provided.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that private attorneys retained on a contingent-fee basis must submit detailed statements of hours worked and expenses incurred, with a cap on legal fees set at one thousand dollars per hour. The act applies to contracts executed on or after its effective date and clarifies that it does not expand the Attorney General's authority beyond what is already established. The bill also includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining sections will still be enforceable.