Section 20104.2 Of Article 1.5. Resolution Of Construction Claims From California Public Contract Code >> Division 2. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 1.5.
20104.2
. For any claim subject to this article, the following
requirements apply:
(a) The claim shall be in writing and include the documents
necessary to substantiate the claim. Claims must be filed on or
before the date of final payment. Nothing in this subdivision is
intended to extend the time limit or supersede notice requirements
otherwise provided by contract for the filing of claims.
(b) (1) For claims of less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000),
the local agency shall respond in writing to any written claim within
45 days of receipt of the claim, or may request, in writing, within
30 days of receipt of the claim, any additional documentation
supporting the claim or relating to defenses to the claim the local
agency may have against the claimant.
(2) If additional information is thereafter required, it shall be
requested and provided pursuant to this subdivision, upon mutual
agreement of the local agency and the claimant.
(3) The local agency's written response to the claim, as further
documented, shall be submitted to the claimant within 15 days after
receipt of the further documentation or within a period of time no
greater than that taken by the claimant in producing the additional
information, whichever is greater.
(c) (1) For claims of over fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and
less than or equal to three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars
($375,000), the local agency shall respond in writing to all written
claims within 60 days of receipt of the claim, or may request, in
writing, within 30 days of receipt of the claim, any additional
documentation supporting the claim or relating to defenses to the
claim the local agency may have against the claimant.
(2) If additional information is thereafter required, it shall be
requested and provided pursuant to this subdivision, upon mutual
agreement of the local agency and the claimant.
(3) The local agency's written response to the claim, as further
documented, shall be submitted to the claimant within 30 days after
receipt of the further documentation, or within a period of time no
greater than that taken by the claimant in producing the additional
information or requested documentation, whichever is greater.
(d) If the claimant disputes the local agency's written response,
or the local agency fails to respond within the time prescribed, the
claimant may so notify the local agency, in writing, either within 15
days of receipt of the local agency's response or within 15 days of
the local agency's failure to respond within the time prescribed,
respectively, and demand an informal conference to meet and confer
for settlement of the issues in dispute. Upon a demand, the local
agency shall schedule a meet and confer conference within 30 days for
settlement of the dispute.
(e) Following the meet and confer conference, if the claim or any
portion remains in dispute, the claimant may file a claim as provided
in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 900) and Chapter 2 (commencing
with Section 910) of Part 3 of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the
Government Code. For purposes of those provisions, the running of the
period of time within which a claim must be filed shall be tolled
from the time the claimant submits his or her written claim pursuant
to subdivision (a) until the time that claim is denied as a result of
the meet and confer process, including any period of time utilized
by the meet and confer process.
(f) This article does not apply to tort claims and nothing in this
article is intended nor shall be construed to change the time
periods for filing tort claims or actions specified by Chapter 1
(commencing with Section 900) and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section
910) of Part 3 of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code.