Bills would approve, reject claims against the state

Claims against the state would be approved or rejected under two bills heard by the Business and Labor Committee March 14.

LB585, introduced by the committee, would approve $2 million in tort claims and $380,000 in workers’ compensation claims against the state. The bill also includes $1 million in write-offs for fiscal year 2010-11.

State Risk Manager Shannon Anderson testified in support of the bill. If someone sues the state of Nebraska, she said, he or she files with the state claims board. If a claim is denied or a claimant is not satisfied with the awarded amount, Anderson said, he or she can file suit in district court for a tort claim or file an application for review by the Legislature for miscellaneous claims.

Anderson said approved claims that exceed $50,000 must be reviewed by the Legislature.

Of the claims submitted for approval, $475,000 and $325,000 were for Joseph White and Kathleen Gonzalez. Chief Deputy Attorney General David Cookson said the claims resulted from the wrongful convictions of White and Gonzalez for the 1986 murder of Helen Wilson in Beatrice.

Under legislation passed by the 101st Legislature, those wrongly convicted may receive compensation for their time in prison.

LB586, also introduced by the committee, is a placeholder for claims made against the state that are rejected.

Anderson said no such claims existed at the time of the hearing.

The committee took no immediate action on either bill.