Summary of HB 6506 / PA 21-91

• Office of the Claims Commissioner hears claims against the state, with jurisdiction limited to claims not involving periodic employment benefits, authorized suits, administrative hearings, political subdivision grants-in-lieu-of-taxes, or tax refunds.

• Claims Commissioner office consists of one Claims Commissioner (appointed by Governor with General Assembly consent for four-year terms), six temporary deputies (serving at Governor's pleasure until October 1, 2023), and administrative staff from Department of Administrative Services.

• Claimants must file notice of claim in duplicate with filing fees of $50 for claims exceeding $5,000 or $25 for claims of $5,000 or less; claims exclusively requesting permission to sue may be granted without hearing based on motion and notarized affidavit attesting to good faith inquiry.

• Pending claims exclusively requesting permission to sue must be referred to temporary deputies for decision within 90 days if claims exceed 18 months old (effective July 1, 2022) or were filed more than three years prior to enactment.

• General Assembly reviews Claims Commissioner decisions for claims exceeding $50,000 or decisions denying permission to sue, with authority to confirm, modify, vacate, or remand decisions; attorney settlements exceeding $2.5 million require General Assembly approval by resolution.