Jurisdiction; actions in certain cases

A. The Nineteenth Judicial District Court, subject to appeal or review by the First Circuit Court of Appeal or by the supreme court, as otherwise permitted in civil cases by law and the state constitution, shall have only appellate jurisdiction over any claims arising out of a request for proposal or award of a contract, any controversies involving the state, or any other matters in connection with a petition for review of a decision made pursuant to this Chapter, following the exhaustion of administrative remedies as provided by law or regulation. If the evidence, as reasonably interpreted, supports the commissioner's decision, then the commissioner of administration's decision is given great weight and shall not be reversed or modified in the absence of a clear showing that the decision was arbitrary or capricious. B. In any action by a contractor based upon any express or implied contract or breach thereof, no action shall be maintained based upon any contract or any act of any state officer which the officer is not authorized to make or do by the laws of this state, unless the contractor, acting in good faith and without actual or constructive knowledge of the lack of authorization, has commenced performance under the apparent contract. In that event, the court may (1) cancel the contract and reimburse the contractor only for the actual expenses incurred in performing the work already performed or (2) where the best interests of the state require, allow the performance of the contract to continue.