§ 23-115-208 - Sovereign immunity.

23-115-208. Sovereign immunity.

(a) This chapter does not waive the sovereign immunity of the State of Arkansas.

(b) (1) A claim in contract or in tort against the Arkansas Lottery Commission or its employees shall be presented to the Arkansas Lottery Commission.

(2) The Arkansas Lottery Commission shall promulgate rules concerning the consideration of claims in contract or in tort presented to the Arkansas Lottery Commission, including without limitation rules concerning the conduct of hearings on claims in contract or in tort.

(c) (1) A claimant may appeal the decision of the Arkansas Lottery Commission under subsection (b) of this section to the Arkansas State Claims Commission.

(2) The claimant may:

(A) Within forty (40) days after the decision is rendered, file with the Arkansas State Claims Commission a notice of appeal of the decision of the Arkansas Lottery Commission;

(B) Within forty (40) days after the decision is rendered, file with the Arkansas Lottery Commission a motion for reconsideration requesting the Arkansas Lottery Commission to reconsider its decision; and

(C) Within twenty (20) days after the Arkansas Lottery Commission's reconsideration or denial of the motion for reconsideration, file with the Arkansas State Claims Commission a notice of appeal of the decision of the Arkansas Lottery Commission.

(3) When the Arkansas Lottery Commission notifies parties of a decision of the Arkansas Lottery Commission, it shall advise the parties of the right of appeal.

(d) (1) (A) Except as provided in subdivisions (d)(2)-(4) of this section, appeals of claims in contract or in tort against the Arkansas Lottery Commission or its employees shall be conducted by the Arkansas State Claims Commission in the same manner as a claim under 19-10-201 et seq.

(B) The Arkansas State Claims Commission shall consider an appeal de novo.

(2) A decision of the Arkansas State Claims Commission relating to a claim in contract or in tort against the Arkansas Lottery Commission or its employees shall not be appealed to the General Assembly.

(3) (A) A valid claim in any amount against the Arkansas Lottery Commission shall not be referred to the General Assembly for an appropriation.

(B) The Clerk of the Arkansas State Claims Commission shall notify the Arkansas Lottery Commission of the amount of the valid claim.

(C) Upon receipt of notification from the clerk, the Arkansas Lottery Commission shall deliver a check to the clerk, who shall deposit the sum as a nonrevenue receipt into the Miscellaneous Revolving Fund from which he or she shall disburse the amount of the claim to the claimant.

(4) Written reports under 19-10-212 shall be filed with the Arkansas Lottery Commission Legislative Oversight Committee.