O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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PA 22-79—sHB 5235
Judiciary Committee
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 after the General Assembly convenes for regular session. Specifically,
she must submit a report on all (1) decided claims and (2) undisposed claims for
which the General Assembly may consider certain actions (including granting the
claim or an extension).
This act requires the report on all decided claims 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
paid, and the reason for the payment; and
4. the total number of claimants whom the commissioner authorized to sue the
state.
By law, the claims commissioner must generally report on claims that remain
undisposed for two years following the filing date or any granted extension. For the
undisposed claims report, the act requires it to 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 Assembly grants
an extension of time to dispose of it.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
BACKGROUND
Claims Against the State
Sovereign immunity limits when individuals can sue the state. Some statutes
authorize individuals 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 a higher award amount (CGS
§ 4-158).