RESOLUTION GRANTING THE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER AN EXTENSION OF TIME TO DISPOSE OF CERTAIN CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Somers

Extends the Claims Commissioner’s deadline to resolve certain state claims, giving more time to complete reviews and potentially delaying claimant payments.

ON CONSENT CALENDAR /IN CONCURRENCE

#claimscommission #claimsagainstthestate

Summary — HJ 88

Title: Resolution Granting the Claims Commissioner an Extension of Time to Dispose of Certain Claims Against the State
Bill type: Joint Resolution
Introduced: March 18, 2025
Subject: Claims Commission / Claims against the State
Status: Adopted by both chambers; placed on Senate consent calendar and adopted in concurrence

Purpose

HJ 88 is a joint resolution that authorizes the Claims Commissioner to have additional time to dispose of certain claims filed against the State. The resolution’s intent is to extend a statutory or administrative deadline that otherwise would require the Claims Commissioner to act within a set time period.

Key provision

Grants an extension of time for the Claims Commissioner to dispose of certain claims against the state.

The publicly available bill summary and legislative actions do not include the precise length of the extension or identify the specific claims covered. (Consult the enrolled resolution text for exact language, effective date, and duration.)

Background — Claims Commissioner

The Claims Commissioner is the official who investigates and makes recommendations or determinations on monetary claims against the State (typically for torts, contract claims, or other statutory claims).

Deadlines can exist under statute or administrative rules for when the commissioner must issue decisions or file reports; resolutions like HJ 88 are used to extend those timeframes when needed (e.g., due to backlog, complexity, or ongoing litigation).

Who is affected

Claimants who have pending claims before the Claims Commissioner (they may face additional waiting time for final disposition).

State agencies and the Office of the Attorney General that participate in defending or negotiating claims.

State fiscal planning may be indirectly affected if resolution of claims (and any resulting payouts) is delayed.

Procedural history (selected)

2025-03-18: Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary

2025-03-28: Public hearing held

2025-04-10: Joint Favorable Substitute

2025-04-11: Filed with LCO

2025-04-28: Reported out of LCO; Favorable report; House calendar #496; File No. 791

2025-05-19: Adopted by the House

2025-05-20: Favorable report in Senate; Senate calendar #524

2025-06-04: Adopted by the Senate; placed on Consent Calendar / In Concurrence

Potential impact and considerations

Provides administrative flexibility to the Claims Commissioner to complete reviews and issue decisions without being bound by the original deadline.

May delay final resolution and any payments to claimants; conversely may reduce rushed or incomplete determinations.

Fiscal impacts depend on the number/value of claims whose disposition is delayed; relevant fiscal analyses (if prepared) should be consulted for detail.

Note: The publicly posted legislative actions did not include the exact extension period or the specific claims covered. For the precise text, effective date, and any limitations, consult the enrolled version of HJ 88 or the legislative document filed with the LCO.