Sec. 403.075. DEFICIENCIES. (a) A person having the power to contract for supplies or pledge the credit of the state for a deficiency that may arise under the person's management or control shall, before the occurrence of a deficiency, make a sworn estimate of the amount necessary to cover a deficiency until the meeting of the next legislature. The person must make the estimate not later than the 30th day before the date the deficiency occurs and shall immediately submit the claim to the governor.

(b) The governor shall:

(1) carefully examine the claim;

(2) approve or disapprove it in whole or part;

(3) endorse the approval on the claim or the part approved;

(4) designate the amount and items approved and the items disapproved; and

(5) file the claim with the comptroller.

(c) The comptroller may draw a deficiency warrant for and may pay only the part of a claim approved and filed as provided by this section. If a sufficient deficiency appropriation exists to meet the claim, the comptroller shall draw a warrant and the claim shall be paid. If such an appropriation does not exist or is not sufficient to pay the claim, the comptroller shall issue a deficiency warrant and the claim may not be paid until the legislature provides for the payment.

(d) If injury or damage occurs to public property from a flood, storm, or unavoidable cause, an estimate may be filed under this section immediately. The estimate must be approved by the governor as provided by this section.

(e) The governor may not approve warrants under this section in an aggregate amount exceeding $200,000. A warrant approved above this amount is invalid and the comptroller may not redeem it.

(f) This section does not apply to fees and dues for which the state may be liable under general law.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 147, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 7.14, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.