AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

At the conclusion of each biennium, the state has a number of outstanding claims and judgments against it for varying amounts of money, such as warrants voided by the statute of limitations, outstanding invoices to private vendors, unpaid charges for Medicaid recipients, or court judgment settlements. These claims require additional appropriations to be made to honor the  state's obligations under the law.  S.B. 1280 sets forth sums of money appropriated out of various accounts to pay certain claims and judgments against the state.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1280 amends current law relating to directing payment, after approval, of certain miscellaneous claims and judgments against the state out of funds designated by this Act; makes appropriations.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Provides that the following sums of money are appropriated out of the General Revenue Fund No. 0001 for payment of itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas:

 

To pay claim number 95M30086 to Stanley George Winter for replacement of voided fee overpayment warrant issued April 8, 2004: $9.80

 

To pay claim number 95M30204 to a confidential payee for replacement of void franchise tax refund warrant issued December 28, 2006: $56,907.48

 

SECTION 2.  Provides that 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 claim number 94M20357 to Shell Pipeline Company LP for adjustment of Chocolate Bayou Propylene Line on I-45 Expansion  during the period from September 1, 2004, to August 31, 2005, invoice number 90019221 - agreement number U10540 - CSJ number 0500-03-475: $140,939.80

 

To pay claim number 95M30231 to the City of Plano for engineering expenses incurred during the period from September 1, 2005, to April 7, 2006, related to a traffic study project #5389, invoices 1-5: $51,968.10

 

SECTION 3.  Provides that the following sums of money are appropriated out of the Game, Fish, and Water Safety General Revenue Account No. 0009 for payment of itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas:

 

To pay claim number 95M40184 to the City of Athens for a utility bill number 04-3001-00 for the period from December 19, 2002, to January 22, 2013: $2,328.73

To pay claim number 95M40324 to Enrique Rodriguez for replacement for a void game license refund warrant issued on March 20, 2000: $150.00

 

SECTION 4.  Provides that the following sums of money are appropriated out of the State Parks General Revenue Account No. 0064 for payment of itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas:

 

To pay claim number 95M30191 to ONEOK, Inc., doing business as Texas Gas Service, for natural gas services from June 28, 2004, to September 3, 2008, for account number 910346280-1252095-00 at Fort Richardson State Park at 228 Park Road 61: $97.99

 

To pay claim number 95M30192 to ONEOK, Inc., doing business as Texas Gas Service, for natural gas services from June 28, 2004, to September 3, 2008, for account number 910346280-1112953-00 at Fort Richardson State Park at 629 Depot Street: $77.69

 

SECTION 5.  Provides that the following sums of money are appropriated out of the Compensation to Victims of Crime General Revenue Account No. 0469 for payment of itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas:

 

To pay claim number 95M30370 to a confidential payee for a replacement of void crime victim's compensation warrant issued on July 13, 2000: $940.00

 

SECTION 6.  Provides that the following sums of money are appropriated out of the Unemployment Compensation Clearance Account Fund No. 0936 for payment of itemized claims and judgments plus interest, if any, against the State of Texas:

 

To pay claim number 95M30103 to John P. Lincoln, D.D.S., for a replacement of a void surplus tax credit refund warrant issued  on December 21, 2004: $25.43

 

SECTION 7.  (a) Requires that the claim or judgment 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 of the State of Texas (comptroller) before any claim or judgment may be paid from money 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 by August 31, 2017, from being paid from money appropriated by this Act.

 

(b)  Requires that each claim or judgment paid from money appropriated by this Act contain such information as the comptroller requires but at a minimum contain the specific reason for the claim or judgment. Requires that the claim include a specific identification of the goods, services, refunds, or other items for which the warrant was originally issued if the claim is for a void warrant. Requires that the claim or judgment also include a certification by the original payee or the original payee's successors, heirs, or assigns that the debt is still outstanding. Requires that the claim or judgment 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 or judgment is for unpaid goods or services.

 

SECTION 8.  Provides that, subject to the conditions and restrictions in this Act and provisions stated in the judgments, 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 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 is required 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 9.  Effective date: September 1, 2015.