(a) The Controller shall draw a warrant for the payment of any final judgment or settlement against the state whenever the Director of Finance certifies that a sufficient appropriation for the payment of the judgment or settlement exists. Claims upon those judgments and settlements are exempt from Section 925.6. Claims arising out of the activities of the State Department of Transportation may be paid if either the Director of Transportation or the Director of Finance certifies that a sufficient appropriation for the payment of the claim exists.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the Controller shall draw a warrant for the payment of any final judgment or settlement based on claims arising out of the activities of a judicial branch entity, as defined by Sections 900.3 and 940.3, or a judge thereof, whenever the Administrative Director of the Courts certifies that sufficient funds for that payment exist from funds allocated to settlement, adjustment, and compromise of actions and claims. Claims upon those judgments and settlements are exempt from Section 925.6. Claims arising out of the activities of a judicial branch entity, as defined by Sections 900.3 and 940.3, or a judge thereof, may be paid if the Administrative Director of the Courts certifies that sufficient funds for the payment exist from funds allocated to settlement, adjustment, and compromise of actions and claims. The Administrative Director of the Courts may designate an executive staff member of the Administrative Office of the Courts to perform the certification of funds pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1007, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 2003.)