ST FINANCE-LEGAL SERVICES

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Private Attorney Retention Sunshine Law within the Act. Prohibits the State Comptroller from authorizing payments under State contracts for legal services unless the awarding entity certifies that copies of the contract were filed with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives for distribution to General Assembly members. Limits the certification and filing requirements to contracts (i) of $500,000 or more or of a contingent nature; (ii) awarded by executive branch constitutional officers, Code departments, and executive branch boards, commissions, and authorities; and (iii) procured other than through a competitive request for proposals method. Imposes specified limits on contingent fees. Effective July 1, 2004.