The "Prompt Payment Act of 2025" amends the Code of West Virginia by establishing a framework for the timely payment of legitimate claims by state agencies to grantees and vendors. Under this act, grantees and vendors are entitled to prompt payment upon presenting a legitimate claim, which includes state grant disbursements and uncontested invoices for commodities or services. The act defines key terms such as "grantee," "vendor," and "legitimate claim for payment," and outlines the process for determining when a claim is considered received by a state agency. Payments must be issued within 45 days of receipt of a legitimate claim, and agencies are required to report any violations of this timeline to the State Auditor.

Additionally, the act mandates that the State Auditor maintain and publicly update a list of noncompliant agencies on its website at least monthly. It specifies that the initial agency receiving a claim must process it within 10 business days, and any other agency involved in the payment process must also act within the same timeframe. Exceptions to the act include grantees or vendors who are debarred or otherwise ineligible for payment. Importantly, the act preserves the right of state agencies to refuse illegitimate or disputed claims.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 12-10-1, 12-10-2
Committee Substitute: 12-10-1, 12-10-2, 12-10-3
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 12-10-1, 12-10-2, 12-10-3
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 12-10-1, 12-10-2, 12-10-3