Information for State Agencies
Discharge from Accountability
As of July 28, 2009, Section 13943.2 of the Government Code now authorizes state agencies to seek authority from the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board to discharge from accountability debts owed of $500.00 or less. The previous limit was $250.00 or less.
For more information for agencies that wish to apply for this higher approval limit, please read the following September 8, 2009 memorandum, Change in Government Code for Discharge from Accountability from $250 or less to $500 or less.
Claim Search Fee for State Agencies
Effective December 4, 2007, the Government Claims Program implemented a $30 fee for a claim search request for the purpose of obtaining a certified copy of a Government Claim.
Pursuant to Government Code section 11256, a state agency furnishing services and materials to another state agency may charge for the direct and indirect costs associated with the services and materials. The $30 claim search charge is consistent with the claim search fee currently charged for other agencies.
Questions regarding this process may be directed to the Government Claims Program Manager, Jackie Tinetti, at (800) 955-0045.
State Agency Surcharge
When the Board approves an award on a claim filed against a state department or agency, the department is required to pay up to a 15 percent surcharge on that award to support the Government Claims Program.
- The surcharge defrays the cost of reviewing and analyzing the claim.
- The surcharge is calculated based on the amount of the claim. For example, the surcharge on a $1,000 claim is $150.
- The surcharge will not be assessed on claims that are rejected, such as the many tort claims that are filed in preparation for lawsuits.
- The surcharge applies both to claims paid through the omnibus claims bill and claims paid directly by the department.
- If the claim is paid through the claims bill, the surcharge will also be paid through the claims bill. The surcharge will be paid from the same fund that the claim is charged against.