Substitute House Bill No. 5487 - Summary

• Changes the terminology of "temporary deputies" to "special deputies" throughout the Office of the Claims Commissioner while maintaining the maximum of six deputies who serve at the Governor's pleasure.

• Increases the claim amount threshold from $35,000 to $50,000 for immediate payment authority by the Claims Commissioner, Deputy Claims Commissioner, or special deputy without General Assembly approval.

• Modifies claim filing procedures to allow electronic filing and notification of address changes, and changes claim amount categories from "$35,000 or less" to "not in excess of $50,000" as the standard threshold.

• Establishes new procedures for special deputies to handle claims requesting permission to sue the state that are pending over 18 months, with decisions required within 90 days and referral to General Assembly if not resolved.

• Requires claimants requesting General Assembly review of decisions to submit a written summary not exceeding two pages, with failure to comply extinguishing review rights.