Researcher: DC Page 1 4/20/22
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5235
AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONTENT OF REPORTS FROM THE
OFFICE OF THE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER TO THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.
SUMMARY
By law, the claims commissioner must submit two reports within five
days of the General Assembly convening for regular session. She must
submit a report on (1) all decided claims and (2) undisposed claims, for
which the General Assembly may consider certain actions (including
granting the claim or an extension).
This bill requires the report on all claims made to be for the preceding
calendar year and include the following information for that year:
1. the total number of new claims filed;
2. the total number of claims disposed of, dismissed, and denied;
3. a description of each order of immediate payment of a just claim
in an amount not exceeding $35,000, including the claimant’s
name, the amount he or she was paid, and the reasoning for the
payment; and
4. the total number of claimants who were authorized to sue the
state.
By law, the claims commissioner must report on claims that remain
undisposed for two years following the filing date or any granted
extension. For the undisposed claims report, the bill requires it to also
include:
1. an explanation on why the claim has not been disposed of, and
2. the date a decision will be given on the claim if the General 2022HB-05235-R000545-BA.DOCX
Researcher: DC Page 2 4/20/22
Assembly grants an extension of time to dispose of it.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
BACKGROUND
Claims Against the State
Sovereign immunity limits when someone can sue the state. Some
statutes authorize a person to sue the state in court for certain types of
cases but, in most instances, someone who wishes to sue the state must
instead file a claim with the claims commissioner.
The commissioner must decide whether to (1) deny or dismiss the
claim, (2) grant the claimant permission to sue the state, (3) award a
claimant up to $35,000, or (4) recommend that the General Assembly
approve an award of a higher amount.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Judiciary Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 39 Nay 0 (04/04/2022)