Public Act No. 23-131 Summary

• Office of the Claims Commissioner hears and determines claims against the state, excluding disability/pension benefits, lawsuits otherwise authorized by law, administrative hearings established by law, tax refunds, and grant-in-lieu requests.

• Claims Commissioner is nominated by the Governor with General Assembly consent for a four-year term and must be an attorney admitted to practice in Connecticut for at least five years; Deputy Claims Commissioner appointed by Claims Commissioner.

• Governor may appoint up to six temporary deputies (not magistrates) to handle claim decisions; temporary deputies compensated at judge trial referee rates and cannot serve after March 1, 2026.

• Claims Commissioner or temporary deputies can authorize suits against the state, order claim denials/dismissals, order immediate payment up to $35,000, or recommend payment exceeding $35,000 to General Assembly; decisions rendered within 90 days.

• Eliminates previous filing fees for claims; removes requirement to waive fees for indigent claimants; replaces magistrate provisions with temporary deputy system for expedited claim processing.