Substitute House Bill No. 5235 - Summary

• Claims Commissioner may deny/dismiss claims, order immediate payment up to $35,000, recommend payment exceeding $35,000, or authorize claimants to sue the state.

• Claimants filing claims over $50,000 may request General Assembly review of denials, dismissals, or payment orders under $35,000 within 20 days, which automatically stays the Commissioner's decision.

• Office of Claims Commissioner must report annually to General Assembly within 5 days of each regular session with statistics on new claims filed, claims disposed of, dismissed, denied, detailed descriptions of immediate payments up to $35,000, and number of claimants authorized to sue.

• Claims pending over two years must be reported to General Assembly with explanations for delays and projected decision dates, allowing the Assembly to grant extensions, authorize lawsuits, grant awards, or deny claims.

• Office of Claims Commissioner must notify claimants whose claims are reported as pending over two years that their claims will be considered at the next regular General Assembly session.