Bill

S 8002

Restricts who may sign certain checks issued by the state and what signatures and images can be on such checks

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Fahy and 1 co-sponsor

Limits who may sign state-issued checks and sets rules for signatures and imagery, boosting internal controls and narrowing signing authority for state payments.

REFERRED TO FINANCE

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · S 8002

Summary of Bill S 8002

Overview

Bill S 8002 would restrict who may sign state-issued checks and set rules regarding the signatures and imagery that can appear on those checks. The aim appears to be tightening authentication and security around the state’s check payments.

Bill Number: S 8002
Title: Restricts who may sign certain checks issued by the state and what signatures and images can be on such checks
Status: REFERRED TO FINANCE (in committee for consideration)
Introduced: May 15, 2025
Classification: bill

Key Provisions (as indicated by title)

The bill would:
- Limit or specify which individuals or offices may sign checks issued by the state.
- Establish rules or standards governing the types of signatures that may appear on these checks.
- Regulate imagery associated with checks (potentially including how signatures are displayed or reproduced on the checks).

Note: The exact statutory language, thresholds, and criteria are not provided in the available summary. The precise provisions would be found in the bill’s text.

Who Would Be Affected

State agencies and offices that issue or process checks.
Individuals currently authorized to sign state checks (potentially narrowing signing authority to designated officials).
State financial administration or treasury offices responsible for check issuance, payment processing, and internal controls.
Vendors and recipients who receive state checks, as administration may shift depending on who is authorized to sign.

Legislative Status and Timeline

Introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee on May 15, 2025.
The presence of two identical “REFFERED TO FINANCE” entries on the same date suggests the bill was routed to the Finance committee for review; no additional action is recorded here.
Next expected steps (if advanced): approval by the Senate Finance Committee, followed by consideration on the Senate floor, and then potential cross-chamber actions (house counterpart, if applicable) and governor’s signature or veto.

Potential Impact and Considerations

Financial Security: Aims to strengthen internal controls and reduce fraud risk by clarifying who can sign checks and how signatures/images appear.
Administrative Impact: Agencies may need to adjust signing authority lists, training, and check-processing procedures to comply with new requirements.
Implementation Costs: Unknown; could include system updates, policy revisions, and staff time for compliance.
Policy Tradeoffs: If signing authority is narrowed too much, it could affect payment workflows or timeliness; if broadened, it could reduce control.

For More Information

To understand the full scope, exact language, and effective dates, review the bill’s text in the Senate’s official legislative portal and any accompanying fiscal notes or committee statements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.