Under the state’s False Claims Act and Insurance Frauds Prevention Act, a qui tam plaintiff must file the complaint under seal and send it to the Attorney General or Insuance Commissioner and district attorney. Only after those entities decide not to intervene and take over prosecution of the action may the plaintiff serve the defendant(s) and proceed to litigate the case. This decision holds that for purposes of the 5-year statute (CCP 583.310), the qui tam suit is “stayed” (CCP 583.340(b)) during the time between notice to the state and its decision not to intervene. That period is not counted toward the 5-year time limit on bringing the case to trial.