The Senate Judiciary Committee met today to discuss four bills.
House Bill 2447 would rename the Court of Claims the state Claims Commission. The renaming hopes to clarify that the organization is a part of the legislature instead of the judicial branch. The Court of Claims hears those who are trying to sue the legislature and gives the legislature a recommendation on the legitimacy of the claim regarding that.
Senator Romano (D-Harrison) confirmed that there would be a cost in the change of the name for advertising and stationary and brand changes.
The clerk of the Court of Claims stated that she believes the naming is unnecessary and the goals of the bill have already been accomplished in relation to the audit the Court of Claims received earlier this year.
The director of the audit commission found that many employees were getting paid for days that aren’t working. He said that the renaming and understanding that they are working for the legislature directly will clear up many of the problems in the audit. They found that there was a culture in the Court of Claims that they don’t have to answer to anyone else and this would clarify they do.
Senator Romano moved to amend the bill by eliminating language of terminating employees by the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House. The amendment was not adopted.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with recommendation that it pass.
Senate Bill 608 would clarify lawful business structures are unaffected by enactment of prohibitory legislation. The bill was reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass.
Senate Bill 290 would authorize operators of distillery or mini-distillery offer for purchase and consumption of liquor on Sundays beginning at 1 p.m. The bill was reported to the full Senate with recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2001 would relate to ethics and transparency in government. This bill was referred to a subcommittee in order to take a close look at the bill.
