(a) As used in this section, “state agency” means any department, agency, board, commission, office, or other authority of the state.
(b) A state agency that receives a properly prepared request for payment from a city or county owed payment for services or goods purchased by the state agency has twenty (20) working days to process the payment request, excluding time required for transmittal from one (1) person to another, if:
(1) The request for payment conforms with the provisions of the contract award and the laws of the State of Arkansas; and
(2) Funds are available.
(c) If a state agency contests the payment, then within the time specified for processing payment it shall notify the city or county that submitted the request:
(1) That the payment has been contested; and
(2) The reasons for the request's being contested.
(d) The Chief Fiscal Officer of the State shall establish procedures for monitoring payments to cities and counties by state agencies.