Attorney General; private attorney contracts; effective date.

HB 1685 regulates how Oklahoma state agencies contract with private attorneys for legal representation, directly affecting state agencies and private law firms hired by them. The bill requires agencies to use a pre-approved list of attorneys maintained by the Attorney General, sets strict limits on success-based fees (capping them at 25% for recoveries under $10 million and decreasing percentages for larger amounts), and prohibits total fees exceeding $50 million. It mandates public posting of all contracts and payments on the Attorney General’s website within five business days and requires detailed financial records from private attorneys for four years after contract termination. Agencies must also justify why they cannot use in-house lawyers or the Attorney General’s office before hiring outside counsel.