17-15-10. Insufficient funds to pay authorized award.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, where an award under this chapter has been authorized but there are not sufficient funds in the fund to pay or continue paying the award, then the award or the remaining portion thereof shall not be paid unless and until sufficient funds become available from the fund, and at such time, awards which have not been paid shall begin to be paid in chronological order with the oldest award being paid first. In the event an award was to be paid in installments and some remaining installments have not been paid due to a lack of funds, then when funds due become available, that award shall be paid in full when its appropriate time for payment comes on the chronological list before any other postdated award shall be paid. Any award under this chapter is specifically not a claim against the state if it cannot be paid due to a lack of funds in the fund.