Fees and expenses to be awarded to a prevailing party in civil actions involving a municipality if the municipality's position was not substantially justified

SF 617 would allow courts to award reasonable attorney fees and expenses to a winning plaintiff in civil cases against a Minnesota municipality, if the municipality's legal position was not "substantially justified" (meaning it lacked a reasonable basis in law or fact). The bill requires the winning party to file a detailed fee request within 30 days of final judgment, showing the municipality's position was unreasonable. It excludes tort cases from this provision and does not prevent parties from seeking other available fees under different laws. This bill directly affects individuals or entities suing municipalities who win their case but must prove the municipality's position was not legally or factually sound.