BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3049 By: Junell (Montford) Finance 5-23-95 Senate Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND At the conclusion of each biennium, the State of Texas always faces a number of outstanding claims and judgements against it for varying amounts of money. The claims consist of warrants voided by the statute of limitations, outstanding invoices to private vendors, unpaid charges for Medicaid recipients, or court settlements. These claims result in additional appropriations being made to honor the state's obligations under the law. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.H.B. 3049 pays certain miscellaneous claims and judgments out of funds designated by this Act and requiring approval of the claims in the manner specified in this Act before payment is made. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Pays out of the General Revenue Fund (Fund) No. 001 certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 2. Pays out of Fund No. 006 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 3. Pays out of Fund No. 099 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 4. Pays out of Fund No. 019 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 5. Pays out of Fund No. 026 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 6. Pays out of Fund No. 036 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 7. Pays out of Fund No. 037 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 8. Pays out of Fund No. 061 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 9. Pays out of Fund No. 064 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 10. Pays out of Fund No. 127 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 11. Pays out of Fund No. 141 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgment plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 12. Pays out of Fund No. 165 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 13. Pays out of Fund No. 166 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 14. Pays out of Fund No. 167 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 15. Pays out of Fund No. 224 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 16. Pays out of Fund No. 237 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 17. Pays out of Fund No. 274 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 18. Pays out of Fund No. 342 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 19. Pays out of Fund No. 551 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 20. Pays out of Fund No. 937 for certain miscellaneous claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas. SECTION 21. Provides that appropriations made by this Act out of funds subject to consolidation into the general revenue fund are considered to be appropriations out of the general revenue fund. SECTION 22. Requires the claim or judgment to be verified and substantiated by the administrator of the special fund or account against which the claim is to be charged and have the approval of the attorney general and the comptroller of public accounts before any claim or judgment may be paid from funds appropriated by this Act. Prohibits any claim or judgment itemized in this Act that has not been verified and substantiated by the administrator of the special fund or account and approved by the attorney general and the comptroller of public accounts by August 31, 1996, from being paid from funds appropriated. Requires each claim to contain such information as may be required by the comptroller but requires at a minimum to contain the specific reason for the claim. Requires the claim to include a specific identification of the goods, services, refund, or other item for which the warrant was originally issued if the claim is for a void warrant. Requires the claim to include certain certification. Requires the claim to be accompanied by an invoice or other acceptable documentation of the unpaid account and any other information that may be required by the comptroller if the claim is for unpaid goods or services. SECTION 23. Provides that the comptroller is authorized and directed to issue one or more warrants on the state treasury, as soon as possible following the effective date of this Act, in the favor of each of the persons, firms, or corporations named in this Act, in an amount not to exceed the amount set forth by this Act and shall mail or deliver to each of the persons, firms, or corporations one or more warrants in payment of all claims included in this Act, subject to the conditions and restrictions in this Act and provisions stated in the judgments. SECTION 24. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 25. Emergency clause.