Assembly Bill 170 seeks to amend the statutes by creating a new section, 165.252, which prohibits the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) from utilizing the legal services of any individual who is not a state or federal employee or agent in the investigation or prosecution of civil or criminal matters. The bill allows for exceptions only if the DOJ follows a specific contracting process for legal services on a contingent fee basis or if the individual is a legal intern earning no more than $10,000 annually from their internship employer.

The proposed legislation aims to ensure that legal assistance in DOJ matters is limited to state and federal employees, thereby potentially increasing the accountability and oversight of legal services used by the department. The inclusion of legal interns as an exception provides a pathway for educational opportunities while maintaining a cap on their earnings to ensure they are not considered full-time legal staff.