By: Pitts, Edwards (Senate Sponsor - Ogden) H.B. No. 2729
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 29, 2009;
  May 1, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Finance;
  May 15, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 10,
  Nays 0; May 15, 2009, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to directing payment, after approval, of certain
  miscellaneous claims and judgments against the state out of funds
  designated by this Act; making appropriations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The following sums of money are appropriated out
  of the General Revenue Fund Account No. 0001 for payment of itemized
  claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of
  Texas:
         To pay Hartford Fire Insurance Company for a contract related
  judgment rendered on December 9, 2004, in the case of Hartford Fire
  Insurance Company v. The University of Houston, State Office of
  Administrative Hearings Docket No. 730-01-2374.CC$249,999.00
         To pay Sharpe, Tillman & Melton for HEB Ministries, Inc.,
  Southern Bible Institute and Hispanic Bible Institute for a
  judgment, attorney fees, and costs and bearing interest in
  accordance with Section 304.003, Finance Code, not lower than five
  percent interest but not to exceed 15 percent interest from
  September 17, 2008, until paid (estimated)$595,000.00
         To pay My-Hanh Nguyen for replacement of void warrant issued
  8/13/1999 for refund of local sales tax$115.79
         To pay Haynes and Boone, LLP for attorney fees for West
  Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District, et al vs.
  Shirley Neeley, et al judgment (West-Orange Cove Plaintiffs) Cause
  No. GV-100528, plus eight percent interest compounded annually from
  July 5, 2006, until paid (estimated)$2,680,106.00
         To pay Ray, Wood & Bonilla for attorney fees for West
  Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District, et al vs.
  Shirley Neeley, et al judgment (Alvarado Plaintiffs) Cause No.
  GV-100528, plus eight percent interest compounded annually from
  July 5, 2006, until paid (estimated)$278,912.50
         To pay Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
  for attorney fees for West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent
  School District, et al vs. Shirley Neeley, et al judgment (Edgewood
  Plaintiffs) Cause No. GV-100528, plus eight percent interest
  compounded annually from July 5, 2006, until paid
  (estimated)$1,278,895.20
         To pay confidential payee for claim number 93M70532 related
  to temporary assistance for needy families in the month of October,
  1995$16.00
         To pay Michael Stuehrk for replacement of a void warrant
  issued on March 14, 1997, for refund of payment received in
  error$40.00
         To pay confidential payee for claim number 93M70538 related
  to a net payroll lump sum void warrant issued on April 1,
  1996$313.08
         To pay Everton A. Edmondson, M.D., P.A., for replacement of
  void warrants issued April 25, 1996, and June 18, 1996, for copies
  of rehabilitation patient medical records$30.00
         To pay confidential payee for the claim number 93M70635 for
  temporary aid to needy families March 1998 - May 1999$156.00
         To pay confidential payee for the claim number 93M70636 for
  temporary aid to needy families August 1996 - June 2000$414.00
         To pay Olin Ross Smith, Independent Executor Estate of Floyd
  E. Smith for replacement of void warrant issued January 15, 2004,
  for inheritance tax refund$52,090.00
         To pay confidential payee for the claim number 93M80058 for
  temporary aid to needy families June 1997 - July 2003$158.00
         To pay confidential payee for the claim number 93M80059 for
  replacement of void warrant issued August 9, 1996, for refund of
  overpayment of franchise tax$261.61
         To pay University of North Texas Health Science Center of
  Fort Worth for services for public health preparedness and response
  to bioterrorism needs assessment program March 1, 2003 - May 31,
  2003, Contract #7637637630-203-A1$60,389.66
         To pay Gainesville Healthcare Center Ltd. Co. dba Renaissance
  Care Center for nursing home services November 17, 1998 - March 31,
  2000$258.87
         To pay University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  for social cohesion and health in Hispanics & African American
  project June 1, 2002 - August 31, 2003$15,139.63
         To pay University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  for Texas statewide bioterrorism continuing education program two
  hour nursing continuing education web-course July 20, 2004 - August
  31, 2004$103,606.00
         To pay University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  for the unmeasured impact of the tuberculosis epidemic on
  tuberculosis programs project August 1, 2002 - December 31,
  2002$5,414.50
         To pay Randy Gray for replacement of void warrant issued
  November 17, 1999, for witness fee claim$158.26
         To pay ESC-NGH LP for community care service July 13, 2005
  - August 31, 2005$16,481.92
         To pay ESC-NGH LP for community care service July 13, 2005
  - August 31, 2005$9,733.21
         To pay ESC-NGH LP for community care July 13, 2005 - August
  31, 2008$5,344.19
         To pay Sam Houston State University for industrial hygiene
  training conducted August, 1999$8,094.95
         To pay City of Laredo for Office of Public Health
  Preparedness for Bio-Terrorism contract August, 2004$48,071.38
         To pay confidential payee claim for the claim number 93M80426
  for replacement of void warrant issued January 8, 2004, for
  franchise tax refund$500,000.00
         To pay Parkland Foundation c/o Stanek Associates, Inc. for
  replacement of void warrant issued February 17, 2006$75,056.16
         To pay Ruth Ann Campbell for replacement of void warrant
  issued March 2, 1999, for travel for State Board Educator
  Certification Advisory Committee for counselor
  certification$194.79
         To pay confidential payee for the claim number 93M90097 for
  replacement of void warrant issued March 14, 2000, for refund of
  sales and use tax$245.01
         To pay Travis County District Clerk Amalia Rodriguez Mendoza
  for various court filing fees April 18, 2000 - December 11,
  2005$1,406.00
         To pay John L. Hensley for replacement of void warrant issued
  April 1, 1996$102.31
         To pay Airgas Southwest Inc. for oxygen cylinders September
  27, 2005 - September 30, 2005$79,649.89
         To pay confidential payee for the claim number 93M90145 for
  replacement of void warrant issued October 24, 1997, for franchise
  tax refund$1,075.00
         To pay confidential payee for the claim number 93M90174 for
  replacement of void warrant issued October 29, 1998, for franchise
  tax refund$1,136.66
         To pay Amos R. Morrison for replacement of void unclaimed
  property warrant issued June 16, 2006$55,656.36
         To pay Edward McElyea for whistleblower judgment No.
  GN103776, plus five percent interest compounded annually from
  February 1, 2006, until paid (estimated) $348,063.50
         To pay Barbara Oakley, as guardian of the estate and person of
  Richard Danziger for wrongful imprisonment settlement cause No.
  75107D, AG No. 052091477$250,000.00
         SECTION 2.  The following sums of money are appropriated out
  of the State Highway Fund No. 0006 for payment of itemized claims
  and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas:
         To pay TransAmerican Power Products, Inc. for a judgment in
  the case of TransAmerican Power Products, Inc. v. Texas Department
  of Transportation, State Office of Administrative Hearings Docket
  No. 601-07-0749.CC for breach of contract judgment related to
  purchase of steel traffic signal poles $469,782.80
         To pay S&B Infrastructure, LTD for schematic engineering
  design and development services for May 2, 1999, through October
  30, 1999 $51,395.20
         To pay Kellogg Brown & Root Inc. for engineering services for
  March 1, 2006, through August 31, 2006 $5,886.02
         To pay AT&T for relocation of all facilities for construction
  project on US 75/IH635 Interchange in Dallas, TX August 1, 1999
  - March 31, 2003, CSJ: 2374-01-103$769,136.36
         To pay Southwestern Public Service Co. for utility relocation
  August 16, 2002 - June 10, 2003, CSJ:0380-01-053$612,097.65
         To pay Shell Pipeline Company LP for replacing pipeline on
  Airport Blvd in Houston, utility adjustment U1-3931, CSJ:
  8041-12-014 for March 3, 2002$60,804.00
         To pay City of Richardson for signal adjustment January 16,
  2000 - August 31, 2004, Contract #8075-18-005$53,090.96
         To pay North American Title Company closing and title
  expenses for July 1, 1996, Project 8018-1-63, Parcel 2, CSJ:
  2964-03-001 and Invoice GF# D342505C$1,780.00
         To pay North American Title Company for leasehold estate
  recording fee for July 31, 1996, Project 8018-1-63, Parcel 2, CSJ:
  2964-03-001, and Invoice GF# D342505C$25.00
         To pay for Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative Inc., 90
  percent payment for electrical utility adjustment in Anderson
  County December, 2003$263,016.12
         To pay S&B Infrastructure, LTD for schematic engineering
  design and development services for June, 2004$21,709.65
         To pay S&B Infrastructure LTD for schematic engineering
  design and development services for August, 2004$3,171.84
         To pay S&B Infrastructure LTD for schematic engineering
  design and development services for July, 2004$7,270.79
         To pay Texas Transportation Institute, The Texas A&M
  University System, to provide technical support to enhance
  effective utilization of high occupancy vehicle lanes April 24,
  2002 - August 31, 2005$14,221.82
         To pay Texas Transportation Institute, The Texas A&M
  University System, to provide technical support to enhance
  effective utilization of high occupancy vehicle lanes April 24,
  2002 - August 31, 2005$5,550.00
         To pay Kellogg, Brown & Root Inc. for engineering services
  performed September 1, 2004 - August 31, 2005, under contract
  15-745P5001, WA No. 7 per Supplemental Agreement No. 1$40,152.17
         To pay City of North Richland Hills Parks Department for
  professional services for Congestion Mitigation Air Quality
  project, South Electric Trail November 10, 2003 - July 12, 2004,
  CSJ: 0902-48-289$15,721.00
         To pay City of North Richland Hills Parks Department for
  construction services on Cottonbelt Hike and Bike Trail May 1, 2004
  - November 30, 2004, CSJ: 0902-48-331$502,372.71
         To pay City of North Richland Hills Parks Department for
  construction services on Cottonbelt Hike and Bike Trail February 1,
  2004 - June 30, 2004, CSJ: 0902-48-331$256,398.87
         To pay City of North Richland Hills Parks Department for
  construction services on Walker's Creek Trail February 1, 2006
  - March 1, 2006, CSJ: 0902-48-411$23,594.61
         To pay City of North Richland Hills Parks Department for
  construction services on Walker's Creek Trail August 22, 2005 - May
  31, 2006, CSJ: 0902-48-411$22,917.02
         To pay El Paso Electric Co. for utility adjustment service on
  Interstate Highway 10 turnarounds completed September 26,
  2002$79,908.61
         To pay Kellogg, Brown & Root Inc. for engineering services
  October 30, 2005 - August 31, 2006$45,730.36
         To pay CPS Energy for utility adjustments February 20, 2002
  - January 31, 2004$70,462.89
         To pay CPS Energy for utility adjustment October 22, 2003
  - July 31, 2004$92,239.14
         To pay CPS Energy for utility adjustments March 30, 2001
  - December 31, 2002$306,785.39
         To pay City of Grapevine for traffic signal improvements
  September 1, 2005 - August 31, 2006$27,570.84
         To pay City of North Richland Hills Parks Department for
  construction services for Cottonbelt Trail January, 2005 CSJ:
  0902-48-331$87,618.66
         To pay AT&T for utility adjustments fiscal year 2006 CSJ:
  0072-12-177$497,697.71
         To pay AT&T for utility adjustments fiscal year 2006 CSJ:
  0521-04-249$207,137.53
         To pay CPS Energy for utility adjustments January 31, 2004
  - May 31, 2006$61,227.41
         To pay CPS Energy for utility adjustments March 22, 2005
  - April 11, 2006$44,655.04
         To pay CPS Energy for utility adjustment July 31, 2003
  - August 31, 2004$517,562.91
         To pay CPS Energy for utility adjustments February 12, 2003
  - January 31, 2004$350,988.62
         To pay CPS Energy for utility adjustments March 14, 2003
  - December 14, 2004$24,272.91
         To pay CPS Energy for utility adjustments November 16, 2000
  - June 30, 2006$23,867.72
         SECTION 3.  The following sums of money are appropriated out
  of the General Revenue Account- Solid Waste Disposal Fees Fund No.
  5000 for payment of itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if
  any, against the State of Texas:
         To pay Merrick Construction Company for amounts due on Gibson
  Atlanta Tire Recycling Facility job from June 30, 2003 to August 31,
  2005$336,537.26
         SECTION 4.  (a) Before any claim or judgment may be paid
  from money appropriated by this Act, the claim or judgment must be
  verified and substantiated by the administrator of the special fund
  or account against which the claim or judgment is to be charged and
  be approved by the attorney general and the comptroller of public
  accounts. 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 by August 31, 2010, may not be paid from money
  appropriated by this Act.
         (b)  Each claim or judgment paid from money appropriated by
  this Act must contain such information as the comptroller of public
  accounts requires but at a minimum must contain the specific reason
  for the claim or judgment. If the claim is for a void warrant, the
  claim must include a specific identification of the goods,
  services, refunds, or other items for which the warrant was
  originally issued. In addition, it must include a certification by
  the original payee or the original payee's successors, heirs, or
  assigns that the debt is still outstanding. If the claim or
  judgment is for unpaid goods or services, it must be accompanied by
  an invoice or other acceptable documentation of the unpaid account
  and any other information that may be required by the comptroller.
         SECTION 5.  Subject to the conditions and restrictions in
  this Act and provisions stated in the judgments, the comptroller of
  public accounts 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 favor of each of the individuals,
  firms, or corporations named or claim numbers identified in this
  Act, in an amount not to exceed the amount set opposite their
  respective names or claim numbers and shall mail or deliver to each
  of the individuals, firms, or corporations associated with each
  claim one or more warrants in payment of all claims included in this
  Act.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
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