Recodify Statutes Concerning Department Of Law

The act recodifies statutory provisions governing the department of law (department), especially by replacing outmoded language with updated terms and usage. The act repeals outmoded language regarding internal divisions within the department, specifies the powers and duties of the attorney general, enumerates internal divisions of the department, updates the statutory provision authorizing the appointment of the chief deputy attorney general, and addresses the appointment and qualifications of the solicitor general. The act updates statutory provisions governing the victims' services coordinator. It updates statutory provisions governing money received by the attorney general. It also specifies that any money received by the attorney general belonging to the state or received by the attorney general in his or her official capacity must be paid as soon as practicable to the department of the treasury. Moreover, generally, the attorney general has such legal duties in regard to the activities of the state and its various departments, boards, commissions, bureaus, and agencies as are imposed by law. The act specifies requirements pertaining to the legal services the attorney general provides to state agencies and clarifies that nothing in the act is to be construed as affecting, limiting, or supplanting the common law authority of the attorney general or the department. The act specifies requirements governing the provision of identification cards to retired peace officers. The act addresses legal representation of the state auditor and specifies that the duty of providing legal representation or otherwise rendering legal services to the state auditor in connection with the auditor's performance of his or her functions and duties is shared between the office of legislative legal services and the attorney general. The act also repeals existing outmoded sections of law. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)