The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall
have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise.
(1) Agency--A department, commission, board, authority,
office, or other agency in the executive branch of state government,
including university systems and institutions of higher education
as defined by §61.003 of the Education Code, but excluding public
junior colleges.
(2) Chief Administrator--Has the meaning defined by
§660.002(4) of the Government Code.
(3) Contingency Fee--Has the meaning defined by §2254.101(1)
of the Government Code.
(4) Invoice--An itemized list of legal services provided,
and fees, charges, or expenses associated with those services, by
Outside Counsel to an Agency pursuant to an Outside Counsel Contract.
(5) Invoice Summary--As provided by the Outside Counsel
Contract, a document furnished by Outside Counsel to the Agency that
supports a submitted Invoice. The Invoice Summary must indicate the
total number of hours worked by each legal professional during the
billing period and the total number of hours billed by each timekeeper
during the billing period; or, if the fee is based on a fixed fee
basis or fee schedule, the number and type of projects or matters.
The Invoice Summary must also include a subtotal for all legal fees,
expenses, and the total amount of the Invoice, as well as the total
amount of all Invoices submitted to the Agency to date under the Outside
Counsel Contract.
(6) Outside Counsel--An attorney or law firm selected
by an Agency to provide legal services. The term does not include
a full-time employee of the Agency or the Office of the Attorney General.
(7) Outside Counsel Contract--A contract for legal
services between an Agency and Outside Counsel selected by the Agency
that must be approved by the Office of the Attorney General pursuant
to this chapter.
(8) Request for Voucher Approval--A request made by
an Agency to the Office of the Attorney General for the Office of
the Attorney General to:
(A) review an Outside Counsel's Invoice; and
(B) to approve the payment of the Invoice, pursuant
to this chapter.
(9) Request to Retain Outside Counsel--A request made
by an Agency to the Office of the Attorney General for approval to
retain an Outside Counsel pursuant to this chapter.
(10) State Fiscal Biennium--Period of time running
concurrent with that set by the General Appropriations Act.
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