Relief Bill items are due to the GAO no later than December 13, 2013.

During the next regular session of the legislature, any unpaid claims for goods or services received from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012 (FY10 through FY12) will be considered for inclusion in the Relief Bill. A.R.S. § 35-191.C. provides the statutory authority for submission to the legislature of unpaid claims that are more than one fiscal year old, but less than four fiscal years old.

The appropriation line item from which the claim is to be paid must have a balance of reverted appropriation sufficient to pay the claim. Claims will not be considered for inclusion in the Relief Bill by the GAO unless there is sufficient reversion. If the reverted balance is insufficient or if there was no reversion in the appropriation line item, the agency may present the claim to the legislature as a supplemental appropriation request.

Claims that meet Relief Bill criteria should be clearly identified as Relief Bill items and submitted with supporting documentation to the General Accounting Office no later than December 13, 2013. Supporting documentation should be sufficient to verify the order date and receipt date of merchandise or services. Claims that are applicable to more than one fiscal year or more than one fund should be submitted on separate claim forms. Each claim form should be specifically identifiable by separate fund and/or separate fiscal year. For vendor claims, use Claim Form GAO-504; for claims between state agencies, use Companion Transaction Transfer GAO-614. Claim and transfer forms should include appropriate authorizing signatures. Please submit claims as soon as possible, but not later than December 13, 2013.

Prior year claims of $300 or less should not be included in the Relief Bill. They should be handled per A.R.S. § 35-191.D. as follows: “Claims of three hundred dollars or less from a prior fiscal year presented for payment by June 30 of the fourth subsequent fiscal year may be paid out of an available current year appropriation of the requesting agency if it is determined to be in the best interest of this state and is approved by the director of the department of administration.” The $300 limitation is per vendor and not per invoice. Requests must be submitted to the GAO State Comptroller in writing for consideration.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Mary Miller at [email protected] or at 602-542-5403.