Bill > HB1399

This bill grants the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as representatives of the state, the legal right, known as "standing," to join or defend any court case where the constitutionality of a Missouri law, rule, program, or policy is being questioned, especially if the Attorney General declines to defend it or does so inadequately. This intervention is on behalf of the General Assembly, which is the state's legislative body. The bill also allows the General Assembly to hire outside legal counsel for these cases, with expenses paid from the state legal expense fund. Furthermore, if the House or Senate, or any legislator acting in their official capacity, is sued, they can hire their own private lawyers, also paid for by the state legal expense fund. This provision aims to ensure a strong defense of state laws and protect legislators when they are sued for their official actions.