In this subtitle, “award” means a final monetary or benefit award or judgment in an administrative, arbitration, or judicial proceeding involving an employee grievance or hearing that is held under: this Division I or a regulation adopted under it; or a personnel policy or regulation that governs classified employees of the University System of Maryland or Morgan State University.

If this State has sufficient money available at the time, an award made against this State or an officer or unit of this State shall be paid as soon as practicable within 20 days after the award is final.

If sufficient money is not available at the time to satisfy an award made against this State or an officer or unit of this State, the affected unit or officer shall report the outstanding award to the State Comptroller. The Comptroller shall: keep an accounting of all outstanding awards; and report that accounting annually to the Governor.

The Governor shall include in the State budget sufficient money to pay all awards made against this State or an officer or unit of this State. On appropriation of money by the General Assembly, the Comptroller shall authorize payment of all outstanding awards in the order of the date on which each award was made.