§12-3-1a. Payment by deposit in bank account.

The Auditor may issue his warrant on the treasurer to pay any person claiming to receive money from the treasury by deposit to the person's account in any bank or other financial institution by electronic funds transfer, if the person furnishes authorization of the method of payment. The Auditor shall prescribe the form of the authorization. If the authorization is in written form, it shall be sent to the Auditor for review and approval and then forwarded in electronic form to the treasurer. If the authorization is in electronic form, it shall be sent to both the Auditor and the treasurer. The Auditor must review and approve the authorization. This section may not be construed to require the Auditor to utilize the method of payment authorized by this section. An authorization furnished pursuant to this section may be revoked by written notice furnished to the Auditor and then forwarded by the Auditor in electronic form to the treasurer or by electronic notice furnished to both the Auditor and the treasurer. Upon execution of the authorization and its receipt by the office of the Auditor, the warrant shall be created in the manner specified on the authorization and forwarded to the treasurer for further disposition to the designated bank or other financial institution specified on the electronic warrant: Provided, That after July 1, 2002, the State Auditor shall cease issuing paper warrants except for income tax refunds. After that date all warrants except for income tax refunds, shall be issued by electronic funds transfer: Provided, however, That the Auditor, in his or her discretion, may issue paper warrants on an emergency basis.