S.B. No. 992 amends the Government Code to establish a clear timeline and process for the approval or denial of state agency contracts for outside legal services by the attorney general. A new subsection (a-1) is added to Section 402.0212, which mandates that the attorney general must approve or deny such contracts within 25 days of receipt from the submitting agency. If a contract is denied, the attorney general is required to provide a written explanation to the agency detailing the reasons for the denial.

Additionally, Section 825.203(c) is revised to remove previous language regarding the attorney general's obligation to act timely on contract requests. Instead, it specifies that if the attorney general denies a request, the agency may select alternative legal counsel, subject to the attorney general's approval. The changes in law will apply only to contracts submitted for approval on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 402.0212, Government Code 825.203 (Government Code 402, Government Code 825)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 402.0212, Government Code 825.203 (Government Code 402, Government Code 825)
Engrossed: Government Code 402.0212, Government Code 825.203 (Government Code 402, Government Code 825)
House Committee Report: Government Code 402.0212, Government Code 825.203 (Government Code 402, Government Code 825)
Enrolled: Government Code 402.0212, Government Code 825.203 (Government Code 402, Government Code 825)