Sec. 36.90.200. - Payment deadline and interest.
(a) The state or a political subdivision of the state shall pay the prime contractor for satisfactory performance on a public construction or public works contract within 30 calendar days of the date the state or political subdivision receives a payment request from the prime contractor that complies with the contract. If a political subdivision is going to use grant money for the contract, the subdivision shall pay the prime contractor for satisfactory performance within 21 calendar days of the date the subdivision receives a payment request that complies with the contract or within 21 calendar days of the date the subdivision actually receives the grant money, whichever is later. If the state is going to use federal money for the contract, the state shall pay the prime contractor for satisfactory performance within 21 calendar days of the date the state receives a payment request that complies with the contract or within 21 calendar days of the date the state actually receives the federal money, whichever is later.
(b) If the prime contractor is not paid as required by (a) of this section, the state or political subdivision shall pay interest on the unpaid amount of the required payment from the 21st calendar day after the date required for payment under (a) of this section at an interest rate that is equal to the amount set out in AS 45.45.010 (a).
(c) If part or all of a payment is going to be withheld for unsatisfactory performance or if the payment request made under (a) of this section does not comply with the requirements of the contract, within eight working days after receipt of the payment request the state or political subdivision shall notify the prime contractor in writing stating specifically why part or all of the payment is being withheld and what remedial actions may be taken by the prime contractor to receive the full payment.
(d) If the notification by the state or political subdivision required by (c) of this section does not comply with (c) of this section, the state or political subdivision shall pay interest on the withheld amount from the eighth working day after receipt of the initial payment request until the state or political subdivision provides notice that does comply with (c) of this section.
(e) If part or all of a payment is withheld under (c) of this section, the state or political subdivision shall pay the withheld amount within 21 calendar days after the prime contractor satisfactorily completes the remedial actions identified in the notice. If a political subdivision is going to use grant money for the contract, the subdivision shall pay the prime contractor within 21 calendar days after the prime contractor satisfactorily completes the remedial actions identified in the notice or within 21 calendar days after the political subdivision actually receives the grant money, whichever is later. If the state is going to use federal money for the contract, the state shall pay the prime contractor within 21 calendar days after the prime contractor satisfactorily completes the remedial actions identified in the notice, or within 21 calendar days after the subdivision actually receives the money, whichever is later. If the withheld amount is not paid within the 21 calendar days, the state or political subdivision shall pay interest on the withheld amount from the 21st calendar day at an interest rate that is equal to the amount set out in AS 45.45.010 (a).
(f) The obligation to pay interest under this section does not apply to retainage.
(g) This section does not apply to public construction or public works contracts made by a political subdivision that has a population under 800.