SUBPART B. CIVIL CAUSES OF ACTION

§438.1. Civil actions authorized

            A. The attorney general shall diligently investigate a violation of this Part. The secretary or the attorney general, on behalf of the state, may institute a civil action in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court for the parish of East Baton Rouge or another court of proper jurisdiction to seek recovery from persons who violate the provisions of this Part. The contract of employment of any private counsel, including fee amounts, and all final fees and costs, shall be a public record.

            B. An action to recover costs, expenses, fees, and attorney fees shall be ancillary to, and shall be brought and heard in the same court as, the civil action brought under the provision of Subsection A of this Section.

            C.(1) A prevailing defendant may seek recovery for costs, expenses, fees, and attorney fees only if the court finds, following a contradictory hearing, that either of the following apply:

            (a) The action was instituted by the state pursuant to Subsection A of this Section after it should have been determined by the state to be frivolous, vexatious, or brought primarily for the purpose of harassment.

            (b) The state proceeded with the action instituted pursuant to Subsection A of this Section after it should have been determined by the state that proceeding would be frivolous, vexatious, or for the purpose of harassment.

            (2) Recovery awarded to a prevailing defendant shall be awarded only for those reasonable, necessary, and proper costs, expenses, fees, and attorney fees actually incurred by the prevailing defendant.

            D. An action to recover costs, expenses, fees, and attorney fees may be brought no later than sixty days after the rendering of judgment by the district court, unless the district court decision is appealed. If the district court decision is appealed, such action may be brought no later than sixty days after the rendering of the final opinion on appeal by the court of appeal or, if applicable, by the supreme court.

            Acts 1997, No. 1373, §1; Acts 2014, No. 711, §1; Acts 2025, No. 206, §1.