Subdivision 1.Waiver of immunity.

When a controversy arises out of a contract for work, services, the delivery of goods, debt obligations of the state incurred under article XI of the Minnesota Constitution, or revenue obligations of a retirement fund incurred under section 356B.10 entered into by a state agency through established procedure, in respect to which controversy a party to the contract would be entitled to redress against the state in a court, if the state were suable, and no claim against the state has been made in a bill pending in the legislature for the same redress against it, the state waives immunity from suit in connection with the controversy and confers jurisdiction on the district court to determine it in the manner provided for civil actions in the district court. Only a party to the contract may bring action against the state.

Subd. 2.Limitation of action.

Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 3.751

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.

No action shall be maintained unless it is commenced within 90 days after the plaintiff has been furnished by the state with a final estimate under the contract, or, at the election of the plaintiff, within six months after the work provided for under the contract is completed.

Subd. 3.Venue; procedure.

The action may be brought in the district court in the county where the cause of action or some part of it arose or in the district court in Ramsey County. The action shall be commenced by filing a complaint with the administrator of court and serving a summons and copy of the complaint upon the attorney general at the State Capitol. The state shall have 40 days from the date of the service to serve an answer upon the plaintiff. The action shall proceed in the district court as other actions at law.

Subd. 4.Appeal.

An appeal from a final order or judgment in the action may be taken as in other civil cases.

Subd. 5.Trunk highways.

This section does not apply to controversies arising out of a contract to construct or repair a state trunk highway.