1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to civil proceedings; removing a dollar limitation on attorney or agent 
1.3 	fees in certain cases; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 15.471, 
1.4 	subdivision 5.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 15.471, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 5.Fees. "Fees" means the reasonable attorney fees or reasonable fees charged 
1.8 	by a person not an attorney who is authorized by law or rule to represent the party and 
1.9 	may include reasonable charges by the party, the party's employee, or agent. The amount 
1.10 	of fees must be based upon prevailing market rates for the kind and quality of the services 
1.11 	furnished, subject to the following limitations:
1.12 	(a) In a court action, an expert witness may not be compensated at a rate in excess of 
1.13 	the highest rate of compensation for expert witnesses paid by the state.
1.14 	(b) In a contested case proceeding, an expert witness may not be compensated 
1.15 	at a rate in excess of the highest rate of compensation for expert witnesses paid by the 
1.16 	state agency involved.
1.17 	(c) Attorney or agent fees may not be awarded in excess of $125 per hour unless 
1.18 	the court or administrative law judge determines that an increase in the cost of living or a 
1.19 	special factor, such as the limited availability of qualified attorneys or agents for the 
1.20 	proceedings involved, justifies a higher fee.