Clearinghouse for claimant agencies that are political subdivisions; purposes; registration; agreement

Sec. 3.5. (a) As used in this section, "claimant agency" refers only to a claimant agency described in section 1(1)(B) of this chapter. (b) The department may enter into a contract with a nonprofit entity organized in Indiana that represents political subdivisions to establish a clearinghouse for the following purposes: (1) To compile and consolidate debts of claimant agencies in a format that is consistent with the department's requirements for the set off of tax refunds under this chapter. (2) To act as an intermediary on behalf of a claimant agency with respect to the department for purposes of this chapter. (3) To submit an application for the set off of tax refunds with the department on behalf of a claimant agency under section 3(b) of this chapter. (4) To provide any other assistance to a claimant agency or the department that the department considers appropriate. Assistance under this subdivision may include authorization for the clearinghouse to establish and maintain a toll free telephone number that enables a debtor to make inquiries concerning a tax refund set off under this chapter. (c) A clearinghouse must register with the department. The department may recognize only one (1) clearinghouse to represent political subdivisions at any given time. (d) A political subdivision may enter into an agreement with a clearinghouse registered under subsection (c) to carry out activities on behalf of the political subdivision as authorized in the agreement. (e) The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 that set forth the procedures and format requirements that must be included in an agreement entered into under subsection (d).