Mississippi House Bill HB726

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Public Procurement Review Board; exempt certain contracts entered into by the Attorney General's office from oversight by.

Impact

The potential impact of HB 726 on state laws is significant, particularly concerning the transparency and competitiveness of government contracts. By exempting certain contracts from public oversight, the bill could raise concerns about accountability and the potential for conflicts of interest, as contracts would not be reviewed by the Public Procurement Review Board. This might result in a lack of scrutiny regarding the qualifications and appropriateness of the experts hired, which is crucial in legal contexts where the stakes can be high for the state and its residents.

Summary

House Bill 726 amends Section 27-104-7 of the Mississippi Code to exempt contracts entered into by the Office of the Attorney General for experts retained for actual or prospective litigation from the oversight of the Public Procurement Review Board. The bill aims to streamline the contracting process for the Attorney General's office, allowing more flexibility in hiring expert witnesses or consultants without the usual procurement restrictions. This may expedite legal proceedings involving the state or enhance the quality of expert testimony available to the state during litigation.

Contention

Opponents of the bill may argue that allowing such exemptions undermines the principles of open government and accountability in public spending. There could be fears that this change might lead to inefficient use of taxpayer dollars if contracts are not competitively bid and are not subject to the usual procurement scrutiny. Proponents may counter that the nature of legal work necessitates a more agile approach to contracting, particularly in high-stakes situations where the Attorney General's office must act swiftly to protect the state’s interests.