Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may authorize the Controller to make payments to claimants for work performed on a rural public mass transportation project prior to the execution of a formal grant agreement subject to all of the following conditions:
(a) The work is expressly included in a program of projects approved by the department and submitted to the United States Department of Transportation for funding.
(b) A grant agreement for the work is subsequently executed between the department and the claimant.
(c) Funds are specifically appropriated and available for the work.
(Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 42, Sec. 2. Effective April 1, 1986.)