Relating to: prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE)

SB 55 prohibits the state Department of Justice from using legal services provided by non-governmental employees (such as private attorneys or outside contractors) for civil or criminal investigations or prosecutions. The bill allows limited use of legal interns who are not state or federal employees, but only if they are paid $10,000 or less annually by their internship program. This rule directly affects the Department of Justice’s contracting practices and sets a specific pay cap for intern involvement in legal work. The bill would take effect upon enactment, changing how the agency hires legal support.