(a) The Comptroller shall publish in a newspaper, having a substantial circulation in the state, a notice of intent to issue a payroll deduction slot. For the purposes of this section, “payroll deduction slot” means an automatic periodic deduction from a state payroll check. Any person interested in submitting proposals in response to such notice shall submit, within thirty days of such notice, the following information, in writing, to the Comptroller: (1) The name and mailing address of the applicant; (2) a detailed description of the product or service which the applicant intends to market to state employees; (3) the name, address and telephone number of any agent of the applicant from whom interested persons may obtain copies of the application; (4) detailed information on the financial ability of the applicant; (5) detailed information on past performance; and (6) such additional information as the Comptroller deems necessary. For the purposes of this section, “applicant” means any person who requests to establish or renew a payroll deduction slot under this section.

(b) Upon the receipt of such proposals, the Comptroller shall submit any such proposals to the Vendor Advisory Committee for review. The Vendor Advisory Committee shall consist of a designee of the Comptroller, the Labor Commissioner or his designee, the Insurance Commissioner or his designee, and three representatives of labor unions representing state employees appointed by the Comptroller in consultation with the state employee unions. Such representatives of labor unions shall serve five-year terms and shall not serve successive terms. The Vendor Advisory Committee shall review such proposals and make recommendations to the Comptroller whether to approve or disapprove such proposals. Prior to approving any payroll deduction slot under this section, the Comptroller shall consider the following criteria: (1) The benefit to state employees of the product or service; (2) the price or rate of the product or service; (3) the skill, ability and integrity of the applicant to deliver such product or service; (4) the past performance of the applicant; (5) the recommendations of the Vendor Advisory Committee; and (6) any other information which the Comptroller deems necessary. In considering the past performance of the applicant, the Comptroller shall evaluate the skill, ability and integrity of the applicant in terms of the applicant's fulfillment of past contract obligations and his experience or lack of experience in delivering the same or similar products or services.

(c) Any payroll deduction slot approved by the Comptroller shall be in the form of a written agreement, approved by the Attorney General, specifying the terms and conditions for the use of such slot, and shall be for a fixed term, not to exceed five years.

(d) The Comptroller may issue a payroll deduction slot in accordance with the procedures of this section. The Comptroller may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.

(e) On July 1, 1997, and every two years thereafter, the Comptroller shall submit to the General Assembly a report on the number and type of products and services offered through payroll deduction slots and the number of state employees who are utilizing such products and services.

(P.A. 96-156, S. 1.)