Requiring that a political subdivision hold an open meeting to discuss a contingency fee contract for legal services before approving such contract and requiring the attorney general to approve such contracts.

SB 242 requires Kansas political subdivisions (like cities, counties, or school districts) to hold an open public meeting before approving legal contracts where payment depends on winning a case (contingency fees). At this meeting, they must publicly share details about the legal issue, the selected attorney’s qualifications, and why a contingency fee is necessary instead of standard hourly billing. Before the contract takes effect, the attorney general must review and approve it, providing specific reasons for refusal if denied. This applies to all new contracts signed after July 1, 2025, and requires existing pre-2025 contracts to be submitted for review by July 2026.