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Committee hears divided testimony on House Bill 1601 to change special assistant attorney general appointments
Summary
House Bill 1601, to limit or alter how state agencies’ attorneys are designated as special assistant attorneys general, drew support from several constitutional officers and agencies and strong opposition from the Attorney General’s office. The committee closed the hearing without adopting a recommendation.
Representative Emily O’Brien introduced House Bill 1601, which would change the rules around special assistant attorney general (SAG) appointments and revocations for attorneys employed by state agencies and certain elected offices. "This legislation is not just a matter of administrative efficiency, it's about protecting the integrity of state government, ensuring accountability, and upholding the separation of powers," O’Brien said at the start of testimony.
Supporters — including the Department of Water Resources, the governor’s general counsel, and elected constitutional officers — argued the bill would protect the independence and continuity of legal counsel for agencies and constitutional offices. Rhys Hoss, director of the Department…
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