(a) The voucher authorizing payment of an invoice submitted to an agency of the territory, required by law to be filed with the Department of Finance, shall be filed with the Department of Finance by all governmental agencies not later than 30 days after receipt of the invoice or receipt, inspection, and approval of the goods or services, whichever is later; Provided, however, That in the case of a bona fide dispute the voucher shall contain a statement of the dispute, and in such case, only the undisputed amount shall be subject to the time limitations and penalties of this section. If a voucher filed within the 30-day period is returned by the Department of Finance because of an error, omission, or other delay not the fault of the vendor, the voucher shall nevertheless be deemed timely filed. The 30-day filing requirement may be waived by the Department of Finance on a showing of exceptional circumstances in accordance with rules and regulations of the department.
(b)
(1) Each agency of the territory which is required by law to file vouchers with the Department of Finance shall keep a record of the date of receipt of the invoice, dates of receipt, inspection, and approval of goods or services, date of filing of the voucher with Department of Finance, and date of mailing of the warrant in payment thereof. If the voucher is not filed or the warrant is not mailed within the time required, an explanation in writing by the agency head shall be attached to the voucher.
(2) If a warrant in payment of an invoice is not mailed by the Department of Finance within 30 days after receipt of the voucher, the Department shall be liable to the vendor in addition to the amount of the voucher for interest at a rate of 12 percent on the unpaid balance from the expiration of the 30-day period until such time the warrant is mailed to the vendor. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply only to undisputed amounts for which payment has been authorized. In the case of an error on the part of the vendor, the 30-day period shall begin to run upon receipt of a corrected invoice by the agency from the vendor. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply when the filing requirement under subsection (a) or subsection (b) has been waived by the Department of Finance. The Department of Finance shall be responsible for initiating the penalty payments required by this subsection and shall use this subsection as authority to make such payments to the vendor.
(c) If the terms of the invoice provide a discount for payment in less than thirty days, agencies of the territory shall preferentially process such invoices and use due diligence to obtain the savings by compliance with the invoice terms.
(d) The Department of Finance is authorized and directed to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to implement this section.
(e) Persistent failure to comply with this section by any agency of the territory shall constitute good cause for discharge of employees duly found responsible, or predominantly responsible, for failure to comply.
(f) The Department of Finance shall disclose annually the amount of any interest paid pursuant to this section in a written report to the Legislature which details by agency the interest paid on vouchers authorized by such agency. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall deduct any interest paid under this section from the amounts appropriated for the operating expenses of each agency incurring the interest penalty.