State Finance - Claims of the State - Settlement

HB 1149 modifies Maryland's state finance law to allow the Comptroller to settle overdue state claims without requiring them to be in arrears for at least two years. The bill directly affects state claimants (such as contractors or vendors who owe money to the state) and the Comptroller's office, which gains broader authority to resolve unpaid claims. Key provisions include removing the 2-year waiting period for settlements, requiring the Comptroller to confirm the claim cannot be collected through legal action before settling, and mandating written records for partial settlements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, streamlining the process for resolving long-outstanding state financial claims.