Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 45, § 1181. Expenses of investigation by attorneys and consultants employed to assist the commission; items; amount; certification; payment; contest

A. The commission shall employ only such engineers, consultants, attorneys or special counsel, accountants, or clerical assistants as are actually necessary to assist the commission in conducting the examination. The compensation for such services shall be fixed according to the time actually devoted to the work of conducting the examination and making reports thereon, whether as witnesses before the commission in open hearing, or by written report, under oath, as required by law, or as participants in any judicial review of the examination or reports. The compensation shall always be reasonable and commensurate with the value of the services performed.

B. Upon the completion of the examination, or while the same is in process, the commission shall certify to the person being examined, the amount of expenses incurred as provided in R.S. 45:1180 through 1183. Upon certification, the person examined shall pay the amount certified to the one thus employed. If the person being examined deems the amount of expenses so certified to be unreasonable or contrary to the provisions of R.S. 45:1180 through 1183, it may, within fifteen days after the receipt of the certificate, take a rule against the commission, to test the reasonableness and legality of the amount of expenses certified to by the commission. This rule shall be tried by preference, and upon appeal shall be given preference in the appellate court, as provided by law for other state cases.