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NEWS February 11, 2010 SENATORS APPROVE MEASURE ADDING SUNSHINE TO GOVERNMENT JACKSON – Senators voted in favor of a bill that calls for more "sunshine" on the State’s hiring of private legal counsel. Nicknamed the Sunshine Attorney Act, Senate Bill 3059 aims to add openness and oversight to government agencies that hire attorneys for services. Passing the Mississippi Senate 27 to 19, the legislation requires contracts for legal services to be submitted to the Personal Service Contract Review Board when the anticipated fee is in excess of $500,000. The legislation also requires that attorneys hired by the agencies must submit detailed records and expense reports for public review. Lt. Governor Phil Bryant believes it continues his push for a more open state government. “With the passing of the most sweeping ethics reform, web casting of the senate proceedings, Open Meetings Act, and now the Sunshine Act makes state government more open and accountable. People throughout Mississippi have been calling for a more open government and this legislation adds to the growing list of new initiatives making the state’s business more inclusive.” The legislation states private lawyers who have a contingent fee contract with the state are limited to a recovery of 30 percent of the award, as well as expenses and court costs. It also, allows a state agency director to retain separate legal counsel, without the approval of the Attorney General, if there is a conflict of interest between the Attorney General and the agency. SB 3059 is now headed to the Mississippi House of Representatives for consideration. Resource: About Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant Phil Bryant was sworn-in as Mississippi’s Lieutenant Governor on January 10, 2008 after capturing 59% of the vote in the November election. He started his career in public service as a Hinds County Deputy Sheriff and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 59 in Rankin County in 1992 and re-elected in 1995. Bryant was appointed State Auditor by the late Governor Kirk Fordice and re-elected overwhelmingly in 1999 and without opposition in 2003. |
