Bill > HB0513

This bill amends existing Utah law to establish a new funding and service model for the Office of the Attorney General, referred to as the "office." Starting July 1, 2027, state agencies receiving legal services from the Attorney General's office will enter into written "service-level agreements" with the office each year, outlining the expected legal services, the estimated time and cost based on "rate categories" (groups of legal professionals with similar skills and experience), and the total anticipated cost, known as the "retainer." Agencies will report their retainers to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget for inclusion in the state budget, and these funds will be deposited into a newly created "Legal Services Retainer Fund." The office will then bill agencies monthly for services rendered, drawing from their retainers, and agencies will cover any costs exceeding their retainer using funds identified in their service-level agreement. Unused funds from agency retainers funded by the General Fund will be retained in the Legal Services Retainer Fund to support a new "Public Policy Defense Program," which will be used by the Attorney General to defend the state in civil litigation challenging the constitutionality of state laws, involving matters of statewide importance, and not covered by the Risk Management Fund, with specific notification requirements to legislative leadership for significant expenditures. Additionally, the bill exempts the Office of the Attorney General from certain provisions related to internal service funds starting July 1, 2027, and designates the Public Policy Defense Program as a nonlapsing appropriation.

Budget and Finance

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0513.html