Assembly Bill 396 seeks to amend the current statutes regarding the appointment of legal counsel by the legislature. The bill modifies sections 13.124 (1) (b), (2) (b), and (3) (b) to establish that the speaker of the assembly, the senate majority leader, and the cochairpersons of the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization can only obtain legal counsel outside of the Department of Justice under specific conditions. These conditions require that any such action must be submitted to the full house or houses, and must receive approval from a majority of the members present and voting.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, 13.124 (4), which explicitly states that the assembly, the senate, and any legislator or legislative committee are restricted from obtaining legal counsel other than from the Department of Justice unless the aforementioned approval process is followed. This change aims to ensure greater oversight and accountability in the hiring of legal counsel by legislative bodies.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 13.124(1)(b), 13.124, 13.124(2)(b), 13.124(3)(b)