Rep. Emily O’Brien seeks to let agencies hire special assistant attorneys amid concerns over centralized legal control

Representative Emily O’Brien introduced House Bill 1601 to the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee as a measure to restore agency control over hiring of special assistant attorney generals.

“Thank you, Chairman Schauer and members of the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee. I’m Representative Emily O’Brien representing District 42 in Grand Forks. I’m here today to introduce House Bill 16‑01 relating to special assistant attorney generals. This bill deals with the hiring of special assistant attorney generals employed by state agencies,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien told the committee the bill is aimed at preserving separation of powers, preventing conflicts of interest and giving elected officials and agencies more direct control over their legal counsel. She said centralizing legal services under the Attorney General after 1987 created gaps in litigation and administrative support and made agencies dependent on assignments that could change with political shifts. “This legislation is not just a matter of administrative efficiency; it’s about protecting…